Max
06-06-2003, 12:01 PM
Teenager recovers following accident 6/5
Safety tips for All-Terrain Vehicle operation
n Participate in an approved ATV safety education training program.
n Always provide responsible adult supervision for ATV operators younger than 18 years of age.
n Follow all safety recommendations of the ATV manufacturer.
n Operate ATVs only during daylight.
n Wear a helmet with face protection at all times.
n Operate only four-wheeled ATVs.
n Provide a drug and alcohol free environment.
n Always use the buddy system.
n Avoid riding in areas where contact with automobiles might be possible.
n Drive ATVs on surfaces as recommended by the manufacturer.
n Travel at speeds conducive to conditions and operator abilities.
n Check on the conditions of the trails you will be traveling.
n Permit only one operator per ATV.
SOURCE: National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.
By EMILY BALDAUF
Staff Reporter
After being seriously injured in a four-wheeler accident two weeks ago, a Lebanon teen continues to make significant improvements toward recovery each day.
Jonathan Sullivan, 17, suffered a spinal cord injury after flipping his family's four-wheeler at their rural Lebanon home on the afternoon of May 22.
After an uncertain prognosis, the Lebanon High School senior has continued to amaze medical experts. In fact, a few days ago he was able to take his first steps after the accident, with the help of a walker.
"He's very optimistic now because daily he can see his progress," his mother, Cinda, said.
By all accounts, Jonathan is considered lucky young man. Immediately after the accident, Jonathan, who fractured his L-1 vertebrae, was unable to walk.
"We weren't sure what would happen," his father, Dave, said.
After a six-hour reconstructive surgery, several days of waiting and many hopeful prayers, Jonathan began to show progress. A week after the accident he was transported to the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana in Indianapolis where he began his rehabilitation regimen.
"A lot of people prayed, which helped pull him through this," Cinda said. "I think he realizes with that type of injury, he could have easily been paralyzed -- he's very grateful it wasn't as serious as it could have been."
A scary ride
Dave Sullivan said the accident occurred when Jonathan was taking an afternoon ride by himself around the family's property. Jonathan, who's been riding four-wheelers since he was 12 years old, apparently attempted to drive over a creek when his vehicle flipped over on top of him.
"He got into a new area, and he didn't realize how steep it was," Dave said. "He made a bad judgment call."
Unable to walk, Jonathan had to pull himself about 240 feet toward the house until his mother could hear his cries for help. He was then taken to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis where Jonathan's parents anxiously awaited test results.
"From the MRI, they realized the vertebra was crushed and pushing on the spinal cord," Dave said.
His parents stayed by his side for the next several days as Jonathan recovered from surgery in which a titanium cage was used to reconstruct his spine. While they were gone, friends and neighbors at home did everything they could from mowing grass to starting prayer chains to help the family.
"He doing very good and realizing how much feeling he has," Dave said. "We've seen a huge improvement in the last two to three days."
A common occurrence
Accidents such as Jonathan's are not that uncommon according to Conservation Officer Ron Johnson, who investigates off-road vehicle accidents for this area.
In fact, two other Boone County residents received minor injuries in separate four-wheeler accidents over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Johnsn said.
A female was injured when she attempted to race up a five-foot hill on a homemade track. She was pulled forward and made contact with the handlebars. She suffered minor skin injuries.
Another rider, a male, was injured when his foot slipped off the vehicle and was ran over by the back tire. He also suffered minor skin injuries.
"In a lot of the ones I see, there are torn ligaments and sprained knees," said Johnson, who added that most accidents come in waves, especially during the springtime.
Although not all accidents can be prevented, Johnson believes riders can protect themselves by taking some precautions such as driving off-road vehicles only off-road, wearing safety equipment and following manufacturer's recommendations.
He said, "Drivers need to ride both responsibly and respectfully."
"printer-friendly" version:
--End--
Return to Top
©2000 The Lebanon Reporter. A cnhi Media Newspaper
This site is best viewed @800x600@16-bit color with IE or Netscape 4.0+
http://www.reporter.net/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=45792?lr_story
Safety tips for All-Terrain Vehicle operation
n Participate in an approved ATV safety education training program.
n Always provide responsible adult supervision for ATV operators younger than 18 years of age.
n Follow all safety recommendations of the ATV manufacturer.
n Operate ATVs only during daylight.
n Wear a helmet with face protection at all times.
n Operate only four-wheeled ATVs.
n Provide a drug and alcohol free environment.
n Always use the buddy system.
n Avoid riding in areas where contact with automobiles might be possible.
n Drive ATVs on surfaces as recommended by the manufacturer.
n Travel at speeds conducive to conditions and operator abilities.
n Check on the conditions of the trails you will be traveling.
n Permit only one operator per ATV.
SOURCE: National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.
By EMILY BALDAUF
Staff Reporter
After being seriously injured in a four-wheeler accident two weeks ago, a Lebanon teen continues to make significant improvements toward recovery each day.
Jonathan Sullivan, 17, suffered a spinal cord injury after flipping his family's four-wheeler at their rural Lebanon home on the afternoon of May 22.
After an uncertain prognosis, the Lebanon High School senior has continued to amaze medical experts. In fact, a few days ago he was able to take his first steps after the accident, with the help of a walker.
"He's very optimistic now because daily he can see his progress," his mother, Cinda, said.
By all accounts, Jonathan is considered lucky young man. Immediately after the accident, Jonathan, who fractured his L-1 vertebrae, was unable to walk.
"We weren't sure what would happen," his father, Dave, said.
After a six-hour reconstructive surgery, several days of waiting and many hopeful prayers, Jonathan began to show progress. A week after the accident he was transported to the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana in Indianapolis where he began his rehabilitation regimen.
"A lot of people prayed, which helped pull him through this," Cinda said. "I think he realizes with that type of injury, he could have easily been paralyzed -- he's very grateful it wasn't as serious as it could have been."
A scary ride
Dave Sullivan said the accident occurred when Jonathan was taking an afternoon ride by himself around the family's property. Jonathan, who's been riding four-wheelers since he was 12 years old, apparently attempted to drive over a creek when his vehicle flipped over on top of him.
"He got into a new area, and he didn't realize how steep it was," Dave said. "He made a bad judgment call."
Unable to walk, Jonathan had to pull himself about 240 feet toward the house until his mother could hear his cries for help. He was then taken to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis where Jonathan's parents anxiously awaited test results.
"From the MRI, they realized the vertebra was crushed and pushing on the spinal cord," Dave said.
His parents stayed by his side for the next several days as Jonathan recovered from surgery in which a titanium cage was used to reconstruct his spine. While they were gone, friends and neighbors at home did everything they could from mowing grass to starting prayer chains to help the family.
"He doing very good and realizing how much feeling he has," Dave said. "We've seen a huge improvement in the last two to three days."
A common occurrence
Accidents such as Jonathan's are not that uncommon according to Conservation Officer Ron Johnson, who investigates off-road vehicle accidents for this area.
In fact, two other Boone County residents received minor injuries in separate four-wheeler accidents over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Johnsn said.
A female was injured when she attempted to race up a five-foot hill on a homemade track. She was pulled forward and made contact with the handlebars. She suffered minor skin injuries.
Another rider, a male, was injured when his foot slipped off the vehicle and was ran over by the back tire. He also suffered minor skin injuries.
"In a lot of the ones I see, there are torn ligaments and sprained knees," said Johnson, who added that most accidents come in waves, especially during the springtime.
Although not all accidents can be prevented, Johnson believes riders can protect themselves by taking some precautions such as driving off-road vehicles only off-road, wearing safety equipment and following manufacturer's recommendations.
He said, "Drivers need to ride both responsibly and respectfully."
"printer-friendly" version:
--End--
Return to Top
©2000 The Lebanon Reporter. A cnhi Media Newspaper
This site is best viewed @800x600@16-bit color with IE or Netscape 4.0+
http://www.reporter.net/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=45792?lr_story