Safety Questions Raised After Girl Dies In Tulsa Playground

Editors note: An earlier version of this story included quotes from a man who identified himself as a relative of the victim.  News On 6 has since learned he is not a member of the family.

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Serious questions are being raised about a Tulsa girl's death last Friday and the safety of city of Tulsa parks.

Funeral services for 9-year-old Hannah Todd will be Tuesday afternoon at New Opportunity Baptist Church at 5303 West 1st Street in Tulsa.

Hannah was killed when sand at a city park collapsed on top of her.

11/13/2011 Related Story: Funeral Services Set For Tulsa Girl Killed In Playground Accident

Hannah's family is heartbroken over her death. The city says sand where she was playing was 14 inches deep, which is in compliance with national standards.

The area where Hannah died isn't a sand box. Instead, it's the area underneath the swing set at Penney Park.

Under national guidelines playgrounds must have at least a foot of material there for padding in case a child falls and sand is an acceptable material.

Hannah's family, and even nearby residents are struggling to cope with such a tragic loss.

Edith McWilliams lives near the park and brought stuffed bears and other things to the playground to show she cares

"I love her and I want to pray for her. I care about her," McWilliams said.

Like many... McWilliams wonders how something so tragic could have happened. Some want the city to replace sand at all city parks with something else like mulch or rubber padding.

And the city would like to do that, but it would cost about $20,000 at each playground. Right now, in Tulsa parks with swing sets, 19 have sand underneath, 25 have rubberized ground.

Public Works inspects Tulsa playgrounds each time they mow, but they're looking to make sure equipment isn't hazardous.

Tulsa's parks director says the department has an employee who recently tested to become a certified playground inspector through the National Parks and Recreation Association.