Another North Country child dies motor sporting
I know a lot of you think I'm a broken record on the subject of kids and motor sport safety.
But I want to keep throwing out there the fact that these hobbies are very high risk. At the very least, parents should go in eyes wide open.
The latest tragedy involves 15-year-old Kyle Cootware of North Lawrence, who died last Sunday while competing in a motorcycle race in Moira in Franklin County.
State police say Kyle lost control of the motorcycle while going over a jump.
The child was airlifted to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, where he died from his injuries.
It's heartbreaking and you have to grieve for the boy's family. It's also a time for every family that takes up these sports to have a good, frank dinner table conversation.
Is this hobby worth the risk? Are we taking every possible precaution? Are there safer, healthier sports that our family, our children, could take up?
posted by Brian Mann @ 10/14/2009 02:20:00 AM
14 Comments
14 Comments:
For every child that dies, there are many whose injuries don't result in death, and are under the radar- but they suffer. In one family I know, the last month has been in and out of the hospital for both the father and the son- lost school time, lost wages, body parts damaged, operated on and re- operated on, blood clots, etc. Father says he's putting them in the back lawn and shooting the Quads. What can I say? This is a choice the parents are allowed to make, when we spend millions telling parents not to give their kids empty calories. That's a good message- but why the disparity?
My thoughts and prayers go out to that boys family.
We don't own a 4 wheeler. I've spent far too much time seeing children and adults in accidents using 4 wheelers, 3 wheelers, snowmobiles, jet skis, etc. Once that throttle gets twisted all common sense seems to go out he window. I think people should give this some thought. All the "toys" can be used for fun and work without injury, it just takes a little forethought and discipline.
The most dangerous thing we do, and require our children to participate in, is to strap our bodies into a 2000 lb. steal cacoon and hurtle ourselves down the road with other similar objects coming at us and passing with inches to spare. When these passes do not occur cleanly, the results are catastrophic. Yet, everyday we do it over and over again. It is funny how we except certain dangers without a second thought yet run from other less dangerous activities. How well do you trust the breaks on that overloaded logging truck careening around the corner and coming your way?
I feel for this family; however, our son has been in motocross (not quads) for 7 years. He has been all over the country on AMA registered tracks and AMA sanctioned races. He has been to several training facilities down south, and does sustain minor injuries at times. He wears top of the line safety gear. Boys and girls alike love the sport; and it really is no more dangerous than the risk taken by baseball players of getting hit in the temple with a baseball. I have to believe this boy and the family were doing what they loved at the time of his death. If a child is sitting in front of the computer doing nothing, parents get ripped apart for letting their child "vegetate." There is risk to every activity we do every single day. Sometimes the injuries sustained are not the rider's fault, but the inexperience of other riders on the track who fall and don't get off the track right away. Other injuries are caused by lax flaggers who don't get riders behind a downed rider going the right way. Whatever the cause (and there can be many) these children love the sport as much as others love baseball, football, and other risky sports.
Everyone has their own opinions, but I believe that this "blog" has some rather rediculous points to it! Why must you start a blog on a website with the title "Another North Country child dies motor sporting"? If your point is warn parents of the risks do you really need a title like this as the family and friends are dealing with enough.
Secondly, Do you post blogs for every football, soccer,lacross,hockey and every other contact sports injury? I have played almost every contact sport out there and I also race motocross, I have been injured alot more and have seen alot more injurys in sports without automobiles!
I'm not quite sure you've done much research into the amount of injurys and the possible precautions that could be taken to prevent them. If you're going to write blogs to discourage people to participate in this sport then please do the research and you may be suprised.
Kyle "Cooter" Cootware- You will not be forgotten, You did not die that day you were chosen by god to be taken that day as you participated in something you loved!
Well said Mike.
Just another sport with its risk. I can tell you for a fact that those who enjoy it are truly doing what they love with the people that they love.
Mr. Mann, it's called respect..maybe you should search for the meaning.
I think it's ridiculous to compare motorcross to riding in a car. One is optional, the other is a necessity. It's like comparing taking a shower to jumping out of a plane. Both have risks, the issue is whether the benefits are worth the risks. Driving a car, yes -- motorcross, especially for children -- absolutely not. We all take risks every day, but there's no point in exposing yourself or your child to completely unnecessary ones.
Tammy, you're premise is wrong. You make the choice to ride in car. It's not a necessity. Same for the shower. But you do it with the awareness you can get hurt. Same with the ATV's etc. Used properly the risks are reduced to an acceptable level. But what's acceptable for you may not be what's acceptable for another person.
Freedom. It comes with a price.
Anyone who would post here comparing a "car and motorcross" is obviously missing the whole picture here.
Tammy Good luck on protecting your children from every risk in life.I'm sorry they have to miss out on things like sports and theme parks as the risk is very high!!
Since you people obviously can't research i've done it for you!
Track and field-(Pole Vaulting) http://www.sptimes.com/2002/03/12/Sports/The_deadliest_sport_i.shtml
PLEASE DO post a blog this spring before the children attend their local track meet!!!!!!
I have added my email for anyone that would like more information on Motocross and how safe it can be.
-Mikeashley24@Hotmail.com-
http://www.sptimes.com/2002/03/12/Sports/The_deadliest
Is the Correct Link
I am an ATV and snowmobile racer. We all know the risks, and accept them. We do what we do because we love it and it is our life. Do what you love every day, enjoy life every day... i didn't know you kyle, but you know... WOT!!!!
Sheesh, anonymous, if you think taking a shower is optional, I'm very happy I don't live in your home. Yuck.
This is Kyles Dad. For all of the poeple who think my son shouldn't have been MX racing. Kyle lived to race motocross. He also played varsity hockey (in 9th grade), lacrosse, socker, skate and snowboard. Kyle was very active, supported and very much loved. He had the best equipment that money could buy. He was very experienced. And he was very good at what he did. Does anyone know what happened that day, because I do. Some people never get injured in MX. My son loved to race and strived to be the best he could be at this sport. Some of you saw youths shouldn't be on a mx track. Why not? What makes MX racing more of a risk than, lets say, walking down the street and getting hit by a drunk driver. Getting checked from behind into the boards in a hocky game. drown while swimming. Falls out of a tree. Need I go on. My son was the happiest kid on earth. He left us doing somthing he loved. My wife and I supported him in everything he wanted to do. Kyle, I LOVE you and miss you.
Dad RIP #6
Mike thanks for the support!
Amberlynn 07 said....
kyle i knew u and u were meet to race. it just sucked what happend. ppl get injured in every day sports. but no one ever talks bout that its always sports with wheels. kyle knew how to race as well as everyuone else that races on the track. it was nothing but bad luck. i miss u kyle and to his family stay strong. kyle did what he loved and was great at it.
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