A 14-year-old girl died following an ATV collision on July 6, near Frog Lake First Nations.
Elk Point RCMP and emergency services responded to a serious injury collision involving a single all-terrain-vehicle on Range Road 41 and Township 570, near Frog Lake, just before the supper hour on Sunday.
“The investigation found that a 14-year-old female had been driving south on Range Road 41 alone,” says a media release from Elk Point RCMP. The ATV had entered a ditch and collided with a fence post, ejecting the driver.
Family members located the female, unconscious and unresponsive lying in the ditch. She had several internal and external injuries, according to RCMP. STARS Air Ambulance responded to the scene and airlifted the female to the University of Alberta Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries, states the release.
Cpl. Roy Auger of the Elk Point RCMP confirmed the young driver was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
“It’s an unfortunate incident, that’s for sure,” he said.
Although there are no laws in Alberta regarding the use of helmets on ATVs, Auger says the incident is an “unfortunate reminder” that helmet safety is crucial, “especially for young people.”
Auger says it’s also important that adults supervise youth while they are using ATVs. RCMP does not expect to lay charges in this incident, he said.
RCMP did not release the name of the deceased.
Lac La Biche RCMP also responded to a pair of ATV collisions around the same time. During the afternoon of July 6, emergency crews attended a remote location near Old Conklin Road where a 57-year-old woman was injured after being in a collision.
The female suffered minor injuries but was treated by Lac La Biche ambulance and fire department, and then brought to Lac La Biche hospital by helicopter. Neither alcohol nor speed was factors in the collision.
“The female operator was not wearing a helmet,” says the media release from Lac La Biche RCMP.
On July 9, RCMP attended a call near the Kikino Métis Settlement at about midnight. Two males had been riding an ATV when a 20-year-old male fell off the quad while it was turning a corner at a high rate of speed. The male was not wearing a helmet or any protective gear, says the media release.
The 20-year-old was airlifted by STARS to an Edmonton hospital in critical condition. A 21-year-old man also fell off the quad and sustained minor injuries.
“Both alcohol and speed are contributing factors in this collision,” according to RCMP.
Auger reminded people to be safe when using ATVs.
“We are in the season of people enjoying the great outdoors, but they have to realize that they need to enjoy it appropriately and safely.”
