Terre Haute, IN : Two children hurt in ATV crash in southern Vigo County on Sunday, Janaury 1, 2017

A 3-year-old was seriously hurt and an 8-year-old sustained minor injuries Sunday in an all terrain vehicle accident in southern Vigo County.

The 8-year-old was operating the ATV on private property and lost control, according to a news release from Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement. The vehicle struck a stationary object and the driver and passenger were thrown from the ATV when it overturned.

The younger child sustained heavy bruising and swelling to the head and was taken to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis after initial treatment at Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, where the older youth was treated and released. The condition of the 3-year-old was not available Monday.

More than 200 ATV accidents occur annually in Indiana and 21 deaths resulted from such crashes in 2016, according to Sgt. Chris Springstun, public information officer for DNR Law Enforcement.

Indiana law requires ATV operators to be 16 when driving on public roads and 14 when using the vehicles on private property owned by someone else. There is no legal age restriction for operators driving ATVs on their own property. Springstun did not know the status of the property where the crash occurred.

DNR officers said neither youngster was wearing a helmet or other protective equipment at the time of the crash. Also on Sunday, an ATV accident in Dearborn County resulted in the death of a Guilford man. Daniel Woolwine, 46, was operating his vehicle along a pond dam on private property near West Harrison when it overturned on top of him. Woolwine was also operating without a helmet or other protective equipment, including a safety belt.

Calling Sunday's crashes "a chilling start to the New Year," Springstun said ATV safety and enforcement of state laws governing off-road vehicle operations will be a major focus for DNR officers during 2017.

"ATVs are fun but they can be dangerous if used in a manner outside of your ability," Springstun said. In addition to the use of proper equipment, off-road vehicles should be matched to the operator's size and ability, he said.

"We are hopeful decreased accident statistics will be a by-product of the spotlight we will be placing on ATVs," he said.

Source :
Two children hurt in ATV crash