(CENTRAL HURON, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers are investigating an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) collision that sent two children to hospital this morning. The collision occurred around 10:30 a.m. at a private residence located west of Clinton on Maitland Line. Six children, ranging from three to 13 years of age were on the machine at the time of the collision.
Police have determined a 12-year-old girl from Rothesay, New Brunswick was operating a Polaris Ranger Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) when she lost control of the machine. The police investigation has revealed the driver was attempting to complete a turn in the backyard when she lost control of the machine causing the UTV to flip over on the driver’s side. The driver was uninjured.
A nine-year-old girl, also from Rothesay was airlifted to hospital in London with non-life threatening injuries and a 13-year-old girl from Central Huron was sent to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Three boys ranging from three to 10 years of age were sitting in the back cargo bed of the UTV. They were thrown from the vehicle when it overturned. They were uninjured.
None of the children were wearing helmets or any other safety gear.
The adults at the property were unaware the children were operating the machine.
This collision once again brings to attention the need for operators of ORVs to exercise caution and follow basic safety rules at all times. Off-Road Vehicles like this UTV must be operated by trained and skilled operators. These powerful machines are not toys for children.