Nov. 16--A routine traffic stop in Pasadena became a medical emergency after a young boy accidently choked himself with a zip tie.
While being pulled over for a seat belt violation on Nov. 5, the driver asked the Pasadena police officer to help her son, who had a zip tie around his neck. According to officials, the 5- or 6-year-old boy was playing with the plastic fastener before he slipped it over his head.
"I have never seen anything like this before," said Vance Mitchell, police department spokesman.
According to Mitchell, the officer could not slip his finger between the boy's neck at the tie because it was too tight. The officer, who asked not to be named, used a seat-belt cutter to free the child.
"He could have injured the child if he used a knife," said Mitchell. "But he just took care of the child there."
It is unclear as to how long the child had the tie around his neck, but the boy appeared fine and required no further assistance. He left with his mother after the incident.
While there have been no similar instances in the Houston area, officials wanted to emphasize the possible hazards, including choking, of the plastic ties.
"It's not a toy. The fact is that when you put a zip tie on, it doesn't come off easily," said Mitchell.
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