A 32 year old man was killed today at the Mud Nats. He was awakened by his friends to go for an afternoon ride when it happened. The news said that the ATV flipped over on him and the Sheriffs Department said he was traveling at a high rate of speed. It doesn't matter which one it is cause it was a life taken way to early. Both the news and the Sheriffs Department said alcohol was not a factor. His body has been sent for an autopsy.

Ronnie

BUMMER sad to hear that.

Sorry to hear that news Ronnie. Hope his family is coping OK. Which I doubt.

Bad news for sure... The wife and I are heading out to Mud Nats this morning...

First, sincere condolences to family and friends.

Next, any ATV accident harms the image of the activity.

Never attended a Mud National, but rode once on an ATV park once used as the location for the event.

No helmet wear requirements enforced there ordinarily, although perhaps helmets are required for the Mud Nationals.

Don't know if a helmet might have prevented the death reported; only . . . fact-of-life, from my observation, helmet wear may be pretty rare in that neck-of-the-woods.

Also, don't know if any "no alcoholic beverages" rules applied, but . . . if so, they may have been observed in breach.

I predicted, one day, with no helmets and booze a-plenty, an accident and lawsuit might surface. Don't know if this is the time, but--wouldn't want to be the insurance underwriter for a park like the one I visited.

They do not enforce wearing a helment at the mud nats. They do enforce them if you enter any of the events they put on they don't do it just out riding. This year they have cracked down on alchol a little more than in the past. You are not suppose to ride your ATV and have a beer in your hand but if you want to take a drink you must pull over and stop. Not much difference in my opinion cause you can still get drunk. They are suppose to have security out there enforcing this.

This morning on the radio they did say that alcohol wasn't a factor in the accident.There are about 3 different stories going around now as to what happened. One is he was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control. Another is he was jumping jumps and the ATV came right down on top of him. The last one is he went off into a small ravine and some how the machine rolled back on top of him.

The lady on the news last night was the last person that should have reported on this. When they ask her from the news desk what exactly is the Mud Nats she didn't even really have an answer but she stumbled thru it enough to give ATV's a bad name.

Ronnie

This might get me into some trouble, but it is a observation.

First, let it be said that in both cases have been tragic occurances. The local news reported the death of a woman that was bucked from a horse. I generally take mental note of these happenings, sort of a horse vs. quad tally, and the total might more or less even, what is observed is the horse wrecks are handled much differently then quads, even when the results are the same--death or injury. There was no reports of alcohol being considered in the event of the womans death, or anyother factor, other then her and her husband were on a pleasure ride. Maybe its just a simple fact that life is dangerous, and one can get whacked anytime.

BTW, I've been seriously hurt on both quads and horses.

XS, I have to agree. Both are tragic. But ATV deaths are treated as if ATV's are terrable machines bent on distruction of mankind. Every year, we have several deaths by drowning, and boating and fishing accidents here in Arkansas. But I have never heard of banning kids under 16 from any of these activities. Come to think of it, I have never heard the word ban associated with any of these activities. Off my rant.
My thoughts and prayers do go out to this mans family.

Well guys... Mud Nats is a total ZOO.... The Wife, myself and CC1999 just left there... It is a blast of a place to ride at, but there are sOOOoOOO Many people and qauds there, it is unreal....

It is estimated that there is about 15,000 people there and over 6 to 7000 quads on a 2000 acre site... like I said... I have never seen that many quads in one place and going and screaming every which way you can imagine....

Mud Nats Is a great time, but get ready for ATV Nation if you go...

Where was the Mud Nationals held this year?

It has been at Jacksonville, TX for the past few years and will be there next....Highlifter has a contract with this place for next year as well

Went to the PIAUTE several years ago to the ATV RALLY. I think there was like 400 quads there then, swore I'd never do anoher big event again. Rode with SCOTT and his dad that own HIGHLIFTER there, that was before HL came into existance.

I agree Cob, I don't like rides with alot of people. HL sends me free tickets for everything every year because of my mod status at HL, but haven't went yet. Probably would sit back and watch mostly since i'm not in to mudding. The last two years have been traveling, so couldn't go anyways.

My thought and prayers out to the family of the young man. Its unfortunate, but it happens. Its not just ATVs, its anything, driving to work each day you have to be careful. In 2006 I totaled out my F250 due to oil/anitfreeze on the road in a turn, and last month i was rearended sitting at a stop light and I was the only other vehicle on the road, guy fell asleep, glad i wasn't on the motorcycle.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronnie:
You are not suppose to ride your ATV and have a beer in your hand but if you want to take a drink you must pull over and stop.

What, you can't drink and drive on an ATV. What's the world coming too if you have to pull over everytime you want a sip.

I am not totally sure of the exact amount of people and quads...that was an estimate based on last years turnout... Highlifter will have the numbers on their site soon....

There is nothing wrong with having a few suds while riding if you know when enough is enough. These mud riders down here don't really know what that means. They go and see how much they can drink instead of how much they can ride. Over on HL one girl talks about making 75 Jello shots for a ride they will be having that night just for girls. If people want to drink and get drunk that is none of my business but they also ned to realize there are women,kids and others who don't drink. They ought to have a little more respect and they don't.

Ronnie

Gasoline and alcohol always make for a pretty toxic combination. Sometimes folks don't set out to get impaired, but it happens anyway. Don't know if you'll ever see me at the Mud Nats, if this is the operating procedure..

With that many out there I am surprised it hasn't happened more times.

Sad to hear.

I can tell you first hand ...a lot of the folks there were trashed..totally... The guys camping next to us were riding up to four Oclock in the morning and they could not piece two words together ...they were drunk as a skunk....... Yeah I am surprised as well..that there are not more injuries at this event....

Yet,

quote:

Over on HL [the sponsor's, High Lifter's forum] one girl talks about making 75 Jello shots for a ride they will be having that night just for girls.

Fact is, a certain segment of the population uses ATVing as an excuse to "tie one on," i.e., to get drunk.

As long as the cash rolls in, these Woodstock wannabe gatherings aren't likely to change, in my view.