Shaler Township Girl Critically Injured in Annual Buck Jumping Accident

A 17-year-old girl from Pittsburgh Suburban Shaler Township was hospitalized after being injured Monday afternoon in a stunt that has become traditional among Shaler students.

Samantha "Sam" Wild reportedly suffered a concussion when she leapt off the trunk of a car onto the back of a 200-pound 8-point buck, which threw her onto the pavement where she struck her head, witnesses said.

Samantha and other students at Shaler High School were engaging in the annual "Buck Jumping" contest at 4:15 prior to the start of the annual powder puff football game held at an auxiliary field at the school campus, police said.

Shaler police Lt. Bryan Kelly declined to discuss details of the incident as it remains under investigation, he said.

Witnesses told reporters from Scott' Spot that the car, operated by another 17-year-old girl, and with Samantha sprawled across the trunk, moved toward the deer. Samantha prepared to jump onto the deer's back but the driver accelerated, causing Samantha to lose her grip on the trunk and mistime her jump.

The injured girl was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where she is listed in critical condition, a hospital spokeswoman said today.

No charges have been filed against the deer, pending further investigation, Lt. Kelly said.

No other injuries were noted. However, Pennsylvania Game Commission Officer Sgt. Bucky Schotta noted that hunting out of seasons charges were pending against the other participants, shown at right.