Petaluma tot injured by tractor blade

A 3-year-old Petaluma girl suffered a head injury after she fell into a tractor blade Tuesday night as her father was working the vehicle on their family’s ranch property, according to the CHP.

The girl, Katelyn Caiati, was flown to Oakland Children’s Hospital after the accident, which was reported at 7:55 p.m. Her condition Wednesday afternoon wasn’t available from a hospital official.

The CHP is investigating and an Oakland officer interviewed family members late Tuesday night, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

The initial report indicated the girl’s father was using a tractor on the Skillman Lane property when she fell onto the ripper blade and suffered a cut to her forehead, Sloat said.

Petaluma fire paramedics treated her for the injury and she was taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital, where a medical helicopter flew her to Oakland. Fire officials indicated the girl was alert and talking and was flown to the specialty hospital as a precaution for other possible injuries.

“The reason we flew her was because of the head injury and to make sure there were no other injuries that we couldn’t see,” said Petaluma fire Capt. Chad Costa.

How the girl happened to be near the tractor remained under investigation, Sloat said.