Wednesday June 24, 2009, 8:10 pm
"Deputies tell us the boy was riding too fast and was ejected from the machine when he hit a tree stump. The ATV then rolled on top of him, pinning him to the ground.

The boy was airlifted to Albany Medical Center. We're told he sustained injuries to his head and his neck."

I hope he will be okay..He was only 8 years old..It is too young to be riding these things..

Wednesday June 24, 2009, 10:29 pm
These accidents are rife in NZ; kids on farms are often riding these sort of machines without supervision with often fatal consequences.

Thursday June 25, 2009, 5:30 am
Call me overprotective if you like, but it is my personal opinion that children should not be operating ATVs until they can demonstrate the kind of judgment it takes to drive. When that time is is different for each child, but it sure as heck isn't at 8 years old.

Thursday June 25, 2009, 9:42 pm
it's a Tough call for Farm/ranch Kids as these have become a Tool that is as important as Horses were 100 yrs ago; and Farm Kids Will Operate equipt When they are Tall enough to reach; But being Kids They will also Push the Limits of appropraite Use as Kids Do With anything; Do We Outlaw Vines to Swing on (I Knocked Myself out and Tore My Ear By Jumping for a vine and Not getting agood Grip Thus Flying Past the Cleared landing Zone Down the hil;) But I Operated Tractors From Age 9; and it Wasn't Till I was 14/15 That I Drove TO Fast till I Broke the welds on the Disc(Cultivator) and I had to Pay for the Welding work; Go With My Dad and Listen to the Blacksmith as He Diagnosed My Activities By Looking at it(Embarrasing to Say the Least) I Learned to Drive a Pickup on the Farm as well and Past lesson in mind Did Nothing to Damadge It.The Small Farmer has Suffered So Many Cuts of the Protectionist and Corporate Knives; Let Them alone on this; Kids Can Kill or Injure themselves in Thousands of Ways;(would You Rather It Was GANG VIOLENCE) and While I feel that Recreational Use on Public Lands Should be regulated; and Education of the risks is Needed. It should Be a Parents Choice and Responsibility as to When they allow thier Kids to Help on the Farm/Ranch. Oh Yeah and We should Take advice about Protecting Kids Heads etc From a GOAT.?..

Friday June 26, 2009, 8:20 pm
If you have to be of age to drive a car so be it for other motorized vehicles. Hope the child comes thru this ok, stupid parents. we have kids ripping up and down the streets here on mopeds and most are under 10. No trainging, no headlights, driving on both sides of the road. I bet if the kid was hit by a car the driver would be sued.

Saturday June 27, 2009, 3:27 pm
This is really sad. I hate to see kids operating these dangerous machines. What are parents thinking?