Fitness brand Peloton has recalled around 125,000 of its treadmills following the death of a six-year-old child and a number of other reported injuries. The Tread+ machines were considered by a US watchdog to pose a risk of injury or death to adults, children or pets if they get pulled underneath.

In addition to the child’s death, the company had 72 reports of injuries including broken bones, cuts and grazes. The safety recalls relate to Tread and Tread+ products sold in the US, with the Tread model in the UK also being recalled by the company due to the risk of display consoles falling off.

The voluntary recall represents a backtrack for Peloton, which had previously resisted calls from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall the machines. Peloton’s CEO John Foley said in a statement: “The decision to recall both products was the right thing to do for Peloton’s members and their families. I want to be clear, Peloton made a mistake in our initial response to the CPSC’s request that we recall the Tread+. We should have engaged more productively with them from the outset. For that, I apologise. Today’s announcement reflects our recognition that, by working closely with the CPSC, we can increase safety awareness for our members.”

The Tread model’s touchscreen can detach and fall according to the CPSC, while the Tread+ poses a potentially more serious safety risk of users, children, pets or objects being pulled underneath the rear of the treadmill while it is in operation.

Shares in Peloton initially fell 14% following the recall announcement.

Robert Adler, acting chairman of the US CPSC, said: “I am pleased that the Commission and Peloton have come to an agreement to protect users of the Peloton Tread+ and Tread products. The agreement requires Peloton to immediately stop selling and distributing both the Tread+ and Tread products in the US and refund the full purchase price to consumers who wish to return their treadmills. The agreement between CPSC and Peloton is the result of weeks of intense negotiation and effort, culminating in a cooperative agreement that I believe serves the best interests of Peloton and of consumers.”

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