A 16-year-old Cedar Lake boy was airlifted to an Illinois hospital with serious injuries after he flipped his all-terrain vehicle Saturday afternoon.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources spokesman Tyler Brock said the boy told officers he’d just finished working on his vehicle when he took it out on private property in the 11000 block of Wicker Avenue around 4 p.m. Saturday. Brock said the boy told them he’d landed a jump improperly and was ejected from the vehicle.
The ATV then rolled on top of him, lacerating his liver and collapsing his lung, Brock said. The boy is an experienced racer and was wearing a helmet, he said.
“We strongly recommend wearing appropriate safety gear when operating ATV,” Brock said. “That includes a helmet, proper riding boots and a chest protector, among other items.”
The boy was first taken to Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital and then later airlifted to Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, Ill., in serious condition. Brock didn’t have any further information on his condition Sunday.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
