rss Email twitter Wireless facebook iphone app

ATV Dangers


Last Update: 12/26/2008 10:51 am
Print Story |
Set Text Size SmallSet Text Size MediumSet Text Size LargeSet Text Size X-Large
Click play to watch the story.
More than 500 people are killed each year, and thousands more injured on ATV’s.  One local family shared their painful experience with us in hopes it will serve as a warning for others.

Hard to believe Andrew Skeleton would ever get back on an ATV when six years ago he was in the hospital with a serious head injury.

Andrew’s father, Mike, said, “To see your child suffering and hurting it's a pain like you never know till you get there.  As a pastor I prayed I will take his place he doesn't have to suffer.”

Andrew's parents had always considered their son a safe rider.  But disaster struck one fall day as he rode with a friend on the back of his single rider ATV.  That's a big no-no because the extra weight in the rear increases the risk of the ATV flipping over.

“I was in the lowest gear, going slow stood up don't remember hit, bleeding everything spinning,” said Andrew.

The crushing weight fell on top of Andrew.

“I saw him attempt to stand up and saw him collapse,” said Andrew’s mother, Tina.

More on the web
ATV Safety Institute
After days of severe pain and an agonizing wait for his parents, Andrew recovered.  And today suffers no long-term damage.  Ironically, while we were talking with Andrew, a neighbor rode by with a small child on an ATV.  Neither was wearing a helmet.

“So when you see kids with no helmets, it's scary…it's ridiculous,” said Andrew.

Most ATV fatalities happen when children are riding adult sized vehicles.  Remember they are illegal on the street, and never allow a passenger on a single rider ATV.
Add a Comment
(0) Comments