Boy, 6, Crushed by Driveway Gate, Seriously Injured

A 6-year-old boy was seriously injured Sunday night when he was crushed by a steel automatic driveway gate at a home in North Hills, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said.

The boy, who was visiting the home with his father, was pinned in a standing position against a brick pillar and the gate about 5 p.m., said fire spokesman Brian Humphrey.

Firefighters lifted the gate from its tracks and removed the unconscious boy, who was taken by ambulance to Van Nuys Airport and airlifted to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Humphrey said.

He said the boy suffered severe injuries to his chest, neck and head. Hospital officials said late Sunday that the boy was in serious condition. His name was not released by officials.

The boy, who is from Canyon Country, was accompanied to the hospital by his father, Humphrey said.