Samer Purrsic was rushed to Bellevue after he tripped in the backyard at 119 Great Kills Rd. and fell into the gas-powered mower his father was operating, chopping off the middle and pinkie finger on his left hand.

It was not known whether doctors were able to reattach the two fingers. The incident occurred in mid-August. The mower operator was not a professional landscaper. The incident, nevertheless, points out the importance of safety when using power equipment around children.

“It’s hard to talk about,” said Steve Cosovic, the cousin whose house the boy was visiting.

“I don’t know how he tripped,” said Cosovic standing in the doorway of his home yesterday.

Cosovic said Purrsic is his uncle’s son and that the two families had spent the day together at a pool and were getting ready to barbecue.