Politics & Government
Teen Killed In Concord ATV Crash Wasn't Wearing A Helmet: Report
NH Fish & Game: The investigation into how the victim lost control of the vehicle, struck a tree at a high rate of speed, is still underway.
CONCORD, NH — A teen who lost control of an ATV and struck a tree on Thursday, was not wearing a helmet, according to the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department. The 17-year-old, from Chicago, Illinois, died after an all-terrain vehicle he was driving crashed into the tree, according to the initial investigation. The teen and friends were taking turns riding the ATV behind 297 Pleasant St., not far from the entrance of St. Paul's School.
"The victim was taking his turn on the ATV when one of the friends heard a loud crash," said Sgt. Geoffrey Pushee, a conservation officer with Fish & Game. "The group of friends ran out to investigate and found the victim unresponsive. The friends quickly began CPR and called for help from emergency personnel."
Concord firefighters as well as police arrived at the scene. The teen was taken to Concord Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
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Pushee said that while the accident is still under investigation, "speed and inexperience" are the primary contributing factors to the crash. The on-scene investigation showed that the victim lost control of the ATV and struck a tree at "a high rate of speed." The victim was riding on private property, where he did have permission, "but unfortunately, was not wearing a helmet," Pushee said.
It was the second serious ATV-related injury in the state in two days.
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Fish & Game investigated a crash Wednesday involving a youth riding an ATV at the base of Cannon Mountain in Franconia. A 4-year-old from Vermont was injured in that crash after turning sharply. The child was also not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Pushee said the department is reminding all ATV riders to "operate within their capabilities" and all riders under 18 are required to wear a helmet and eye protection, according to state law, when riding any form of off-highway recreational vehicles in New Hampshire.
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