Tug-Of-War Students Lose Their Fingers

A boy and a girl who had their fingers torn off during a game of tug-of-war at their high school in Southern California are recovering after undergoing surgery.

Los Angeles County-USC Medical Centre spokeswoman Rosa Sacca was not able to say whether doctors successfully reattached the two teenagers' digits, but said they both have stable vital signs.

The students were taking part in a lunchtime game at suburban South El Monte High School and had wrapped their hands around the rope when it snapped, amputating their fingers.

Authorities say the students lost four fingers each on their right hands and the girl also lost the thumb on her left hand.

School district official Edward Zuniga declined to identify the students, but the San Gabriel Valley Tribune said the girl was on the school's soccer team and the boy was an American football player.

The school district said it plans to review its policies regarding tug-of-war games.