Trail master page 12 July 9, 2021 | Vol. 2 Iss. 28
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Traumatic injuries to kids from ATV accidents on the rise By Becky Ginos becky.g@davisjournal.com
CHELSEA HALE was killed in an ATV accident. She was not wearing a helmet.
Courtesy
4TH OF JULY FUN
Kids on bikes, trikes and scooters make their way down the street in the Children’s Parade during the 4th of July Celebration in Centerville. (See more photos on page 8)
Photo by Roger V. Tuttle
SALT LAKE CITY—Between 2019 and 2020, Primary Children’s Hospital saw a 34 percent increase in ATV-related traumatic injuries in kids. So far In 2021, the number of those injuries is on track to meet or exceed last year’s number. “Safety is the key,” said Jessica Strong, community health manager at Primary Children’s Hospital. “Injury prevention is something we all can do.” “Twenty years ago on a cold, dark January night we got that dreaded call that our 20-year-old daughter Chelsea had been
injured in an ATV accident,” said Karen Hale, former Utah legislator and past chair of the Board of Trustees for Primary Children’s Hospital. “We immediately drove to get to her. We didn’t own an ATV and we’d been a stickler about wearing a bike helmet. We wondered if Chelsea was wearing a helmet.” Hale said when they arrived they were told Chelsea had died at the scene of the accident and had gone straight to the mortuary. “We found out she was not wearing a helmet. We lost a kind and caring sister, daughter and friend. It was such a tragic end to an amazing life that could have been prevented.”
Keep your children safe by being a responsible owner, she said. “Learn about ATVs. They’re powerful machines. Make sure you only use ATVs with the size and horsepower that matches the rider’s size and experience level. Helmets and safety gear are for everyone. Be an example. Model safe behavior by wearing appropriate protective gear.” According to the CDC, Utah has more traumatic brain injuries among children than almost any other state in the country, said Strong. Kids are 1,000 times more likely to be injured on an ATV than riding Please see ATV: pg. 4