In junior high, we lived just above Chicago. Worst ice storm in 50 years...you could literally ice skate on the grass. Sledding on the old two-rail American Flyer was at blistering speeds.
Across the street from our house, there was a school and a long slope with a sidewalk running down the slope. You could sled down the sidewalk, cross the street, and continue another 2 blocks or so. Unfortunately there was a blue mailbox at the bottom of the school property. I found it, moving at top speed. Caught the sled steering grip as I went by. Direct impact probably would’ve killed me. My parents couldn’t figure out whether to sue the school or the post office...so they patched me up and sent me back outside with the advice to “try to miss the mailbox next time”.
I miss those days.
I witnessed some saucer and those rolled up plastic slide damage - broken legs.
The worst was a kid on a toboggan slammed a tree- busted face, legs and pelvis.
One of my more "not so bright ideas" was to use the hood of old car as a sled; we would ride it standing up and holding a rope like it was chariot... the cold and snow kept my friend from bleeding too much as we went to the hospital for stitches.