By Carol Robinson
al.com
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ala. — A horrific crash at an Alabama ATV park left two people dead and seven children injured.
Two ATVs collided Saturday afternoon on a trail at Indian Mountain ATV Park in Cherokee County. Coroner Paul McDonald described the crash as a mass casualty incident.
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There were nine people in one side-byside RZR, he said, and two people in the other, also an RZR.
After the impact, the ATV with nine people inside traveled another 150 feet, rolled over and hit a tree.
One adult male - the driver - was pronounced dead on the scene after he was ejected from the vehicle. An adult female was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham , where was pronounced dead.
The fatality victims are believed to be a husband and wife from Georgia . Their names have not been released.
Seven children in the ATV were injured. Their ages range from one to 12.
Three of them were airlifted to Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham and four were transported by ambulance to Atrium-Floyd. At least one of the children, McDonald said, is in critical condition.
Authorities said no one in the RZR was using a safety harness or restraint.
The two people in the second ATV were not injured.
Sheriff Jeff Shaver said the initial 911 came in shortly after 3:45 p.m. Witnesses reported the driver who was killed, he said, was driving at a high rate of speed when he struck the other RZR though the other driver tried to avoid the crash.
Authorities said first responders arrived at the crash site in 18 minutes. Multiple agencies responded to the scene including the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Spring Garden Fire , Floyd EMS, Piedmont Rescue and Cherokee County EMA.
Shaver said it was rough terrain to access. Investigators had to be transported to the scene.
“Some of those trails are up the side of Indian Mountain ,” the sheriff said.
“This is a tragic accident and highlights the importance of operating RZRs and other recreational vehicles in a safe and responsible manner,” Shaver said.
“Always wear your restraint system and never exceed the number of passengers your vehicle is designed for,” said Cherokee County EMA Director Shawn Rogers .
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
“Scenes like this are always difficult, especially when they involve children,” McDonald said. “Please do everything you can to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.”
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones and with those who were injured,” McDonald said. “Please continue to lift these families and all first responders in your prayers.”
Indian Mountain ATV Park is one of the largest private off-road parks in the South.
It consists of roughly 4,700 acres in the Appalachian Mountain range, according to its website, and offers trail riding, camping, fishing and hiking.
Shaver said the investigation is ongoing.
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