Herbert Fassler 08-22-09

Man critically injured in ATV crash near Talkeetna

The Associated Press, Published: August 23rd, 2009

TALKEETNA -- A 23-year-old passenger on an all-terrain vehicle was critically injured when it crashed into a tree.

Alaska State Troopers say the Anchorage man was on board an ATV, a Polaris Ranger RZR, after 10 p.m. Saturday on a trail near Mile 92 Parks Highway.

The four-wheeler is equipped with a windshield and a roll cage.

Troopers said the tree entered the cab and hit the passenger in the upper torso. He received injuries to his head and neck.

He was flown to Providence Hospital by Life Guard Air Ambulance.

The man's name was not immediately available.

Blog comment: Crash into a tree is misleading. A tree fell pointing into the trailer towards North. The end of it was a few feet off the ground. Perhaps out of the headlights. When they came up the trail, heading south, this snag clipped the drivers frame of the windsheild and was thrust thru the cab and out the passengers window. The momentum of the vehicle moved the tree about 20 to 30 feet. This is about as an unavoidable accident as I can imagine and I don't blame the driver.