A child has died after an accident with Peloton Tread+ treadmill

• CEO John Foley emailed Tread+ owners to report a child's death in connection with the treadmill.
• The company is urging users to keep pets and children away from the machine during use.

A child was fatally injured in an accident involving a Peloton Tread+ treadmill, according to an email from Peloton's CEO.

John Foley, Peloton's cofounder and chief executive, emailed owners of the Tread+ on Thursday to inform them of the incident.

"I'm reaching out to you today because I recently learned about a tragic accident involving a child and the Tread+, resulting in, unthinkably, a death," he wrote. "While we are aware of only a small handful of incidents involving the Tread+ where children have been hurt, each one is devastating to all of us at Peloton, and our hearts go out to the families involved."

Foley advised users to keep pets and children away from Peloton equipment and to store it safely when not in use.

"There are no words to express the shock and sadness everyone at Peloton feels as a result of this terrible tragedy. Out of respect for the family and their privacy, we won't be sharing any additional information," the company wrote in a statement to Insider.

The equipment is comparable to other treadmills

The Tread+ isn't substantially different from other treadmills on the market, with a motorized slat belt that can reach speeds of up to 12.5 mph. The machine has a two-horsepower motor, which is somewhat smaller than other treadmills in the same price range, according to one review.

The main premium feature is the touch screen, which allows live access to trainers and workouts. The tread belt is also shock-absorbing compared with more traditional treadmills and features a maximum incline of up to 15%.

It is significantly heavier than other widely available treadmills for home use, which average about 200 pounds. Including the touch screen, the Peloton Tread+ weighs 455 pounds, according to the Peloton website.

The website recommends having at least 6 1/2 feet of space between the back of the Tread+ and any furniture or loose items, and at least 20 inches of space from the front and sides.