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Child flown after traumatic injury at Crystal Lake elementary school playground

May 20, 2026 at 6:17 pm CDT

The playground at Woods Creek Elementary School in Crystal Lake, pictured on May 20, 2026, where a child was seriously injured earlier that day. (Michelle Meyer)

A child suffered a traumatic injury and was flown to a trauma center after falling at a Crystal Lake elementary school playground Wednesday afternoon after classes were out for the day.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue District responded to a call at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday to Woods Creek Elementary School at 1100 Alexandra Blvd. for a reported traumatic injury.

According to a Crystal Lake Fire Rescue news release, the injury involved a child and resulted from a fall. Crews requested a LifeNet medical helicopter to transport the child to a Level 1 Trauma Center.

The child is in stable condition, officials said in the release.

Woods Creek Principal Amy Marks, of Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47, sent a message notifying families of the injury that happened after dismissal.

“The parent was present and emergency services were called and responded immediately,” Marks said in the message. “Our thoughts are with the family at this time.”