Another NY kid dies on an ATV
The Albany Times-Union is reporting today that another child -- in Knox, NY -- has died after crashing on a 4-wheel All-terrain vehicle.
The crash reportedly happened just hours after the vehicle was delivered to the family. 13-year-old James Wyatt Spencer wasn't wearing a helmet or a chest-protector.
(Many of the children killed by these machines die when their lungs are crushed, or when they are suffocated under the weight of an overturned machine.)
I've reported a lot about ATV safety over the years and I have to admit: I just don't get.
There are plenty of recreational activities available for our children. Some actually require physical exercise. And they're not deadly dangerous.
So here's my question to parents: Why buy these machines for kids? Why not a bicycle? A skateboard?
Even if you love 4-wheeling as an adult -- and are willing to making informed decisions about the risks -- why put your kid on one?
What possible advantage or fun could outweigh the risk that your beautiful, cherished child will be killed or permanently crippled?
In 2007, 40,000 children were treated in emergency rooms nationwide for ATV injuries; 107 died.
Remember: respectful posts only.
I know some of our readers aren't big 4-wheeler fans, but no flaming, no nastiness. I'd especially like to hear from parents who allow their kids to ride ATVs.
posted by Brian Mann @ 5/29/2009 09:45:00 AM
17 Comments
17 Comments:
That is my cousin you are writing about, and my family you are insulting. They didn't buy that ATV as a toy for Wyatt to tool around in, it was a vehicle they purchased for all of them to use on the farm.
Please think before you post.
I am so sorry for this family's loss. No matter how careful we are, we cannot protect our children from the perils of childhood.
I've looked into the injury statistics a lot deeper than just the numbers and 96% of the injury and fatality incidents could have been avoided by following manufacturer recomendations. The most common opperator errors are children not riding age appropriate machines and not wearing proper protective gear. Driving impared is added to the list for adults. I have 3 boys that have been riding dirt bikes since they were 5 years old. We've had a life flight several ambulance rides, broken foot, jaw, arm concussions. None of the injuries happened on the dirt bikes, foot and jaw was a bmx bike, arm was snow boarding and the concusion was skateboarding. WE can't keep them in a padded room just use our best judgemnet and follow the rules to keep them safe. Oh and by the way when you anylize the use per capita injury statistics ATV ranks right in line with the other activities mentioned, ATV's just make better headlines.
I live in the community that this happened in. How devastating to all who knew this precious child. That being said, ATV's are dangerous when used improperly with out safety gear. A helmet possibly could have changed the outcome. Parents need to step up and be parents. NO HELMET-NO RIDING. At our home its not negotiable. The perils of childhood can be lessened by teaching basic safety and sticking to the rules. I am so very sorry for this families loss and hope his story make others think hard about safety.
Anonymous -
I'm sorry for your family's loss.
I wasn't insulting your family or any other family which has lost a child to this activity.
But I stick by my post.
I simply expressed my lack of understanding for why parents would choose to take this very avoidable risk.
The fact is that a thirteen year old boy is dead because he was riding an age-inappropriate ATV without a helmet or chest protection.
(As another poster noted, these are primary causes of death among children.)
Manufacturers, government agencies, safety groups, physicians -- they've all urged parents to keep kids off these machines.
And yet we report on children dying year-after-year.
In my opinion, an age-inappropriate ATV is not an unavoidable peril of childhood.
One last thought:
A reason that I keep raising this issue is that many parents who lose children say they were never properly warned about the risks involved.
Even if this conversation is upsetting, it might allow more folks to make informed decisions.
-Brian
Thank you for the apology Brian. I understand where you are coming from with regards to children and ATV's in general.
I agree that it is wrong to buy a child any sort of vehicle as a toy. It just makes me sick to my stomach that my cousin has become a statistic. They had just bought the ATV for the farm, and probably thought- innocently, as any normal family would mistakenly think- that letting wyatt and his friend take it for a quick spin would be okay. You see how those quick little moments- like letting a child walk home from school, or letting them ride their bike to their friend's house, etc...could lead to tragedy.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
The administrator of our NCPR blog pulled down a strong criticism of my initial post on the subject.
But foul language aside, I think the poster had a fair question.
The writer said that I was heartless (and worse) for "blaming the death of a child on a parent."
I think this is an important comment, in part because I've heard it before when I've reported on this issue.
I agree that a huge amount of deference and respect and sympathy should be shown to parents who lose a child -- under any circumstances.
But I think on this particular issue that natural reserve has stopped us from having a serious discussion of ATV use by children.
My contribution to that discussion is as follows:
I think there should be a strong stigma about the decision of parents to allow their children to drive adult-sized ATVs without proper equipment and supervision.
I think it should be a greater stigma than for parents who allow their children to smoke -- and about on par with parents who host or tolerate underaged drinking parties.
Bottom line? These accidents break my heart, for the parents and the children.
But the only way to prevent them is to make it clear to parents that allowing improper ATV use is unacceptable.
--Brian
A similar comparison might be learning the proper use of a firearm. Here in the North Country many kids learn how to shoot at a relatively young age... and, obviously, most do very well with it - do we hear of as many firearm accidents (I'm talking accidents here, not intentional harm caused with a firearm) by kids as ATV/off-road motorcycle accidents? There is an incredible safety orientation to the use of firearms... and the potential for deadly accidents is pretty high. Are knowledgeable ATV users (ATV clubs, manufacturers, etc.) not emphasizing the need for parents to take certain precautions before letting their kids ride an ATV? The hunting world has certainly done a lot to promote safe handling of guns (hunter safety courses etc) There might be more of an opportunity for the regular users and promoters of ATV use to step up and get even more involved than they already are in promoting the safe (and responsible and respectful!!) use of ATVs.
What happened to compassion and being a community. The focus here should be on supporting the family and friends of this wonderful boy. Not pointing fingers.
Anonymous -
Raising concerns about improper ATV use is the best way that I can think to show compassion.
Most of the activists I've met who campaign against children riding adult-sized ATVs are parents who've lost a son or daughter.
The goal: To prevent this from happening again.
But if you read back through this thread, I think you'll see an enormous outpouring of sadness and condolence for the family.
-Brian
This is a tragedy. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family.
Last September my 12 year old son died a horrible death as a result of a the parent of a friend he was spending the day with, allowing him on an ATV. My son suffered horrific injuries and fought hard for his life, but lost that battle. In my opinion THERE IS NO REASON A CHILD SHOULD EVER BE ON THESE MACHINES. There are many things for children to do and no valid excuse to have a child on a machine that is so dangerous and so deadly. It is a parent's job to make decisions that are in the best interest of the children. Precious lives are being lost.
wyatt was my friend he was such a good friend this was just a freak accident he is usually good with atv's
Wyatt Spencer was my friend, i loved him soooo sooo much! you don't have a right to write about the spencer/witt family! I'm 13 and even I understand why parents would buy their kid a 4wheeler. maybe you should spend less time judging other people and get a life! And wyatt...he wasnt just "another NY kid"!!! Wyatt was sweet, nice, loving and so many other things. You're just another stuck up, stupid, nieve guy who has noooo life so he has to write a blog about other peoples!
I loved wyatt. He was not just another ny kid. He was a great kid who helped put people and make them laugh whenever they needed to. I told him everything. He helped me out in tough times. I couldn't go to his memorial service ,but I'm sure pepople said what a great boy he was.
What would u do if ur only child died because u let them test drive an atv ?? What would u do if u were the kid who was with Wyatt in the atv? Bet u didn't know that he had to pull ot off Wyatt and call 911. He couldn't do anything
Wyatts parents now have to live with the fact that their only son is gone. And u now have to live with the fact that u have disgraced this great boys memory. I am ashemed of u. I am only 13, but I know that it hurts when a loved one dies. They say time heals , but it doesn't.
Rip jws<3
Anonymous -
My post didn't disrespect your friend's memory at all. It raised questions about the safety of a sport that claims a lot of kids just like him every year. It is painful to think about these things, and to remind people of the risks involved, especially when children ride over-sized machines. But if the conversation causes one parent, or one child, to make a safer decision, it's worth it.
-Brian, NCPR
Post a Comment
<< Home