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By CRAIG CROSBY
Staff Writer Monday, July 9, 2007

Staff Writer

PALMYRA--A 10-year-old boy who died as a result of an ATV accident on Friday had been under the watchful eye of family members just moments before, officials said Sunday.

Kason Murphy was pronounced dead at the scene of the 7 p.m. crash off Madawaska Road, officials from the Maine Warden Service said.

Details of the accident were released and clarified on Sunday by Warden Chris Dyer.

Murphy was riding a 90CC, child-sized four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle outside his home, Dyer said. Contrary to original reports from the Warden Service, the four-wheeler did not tip over after hitting cinder blocks hidden in the grass.

"It rolled over," Dyer said. "We don't know how or why it happened. We think he was making a turn and it rolled over on him."

Murphy, who was wearing a helmet, was riding the ATV near the house as his father, Jason Murphy, and 17-year-old brother, Kurtis Murphy, looked on, Dyer said. Jason Murphy went inside to start cooking supper and Kurtis Murphy went into the house and was preparing to join his younger brother on another four-wheeler, Dyer said. When Kurtis Murphy went back outside he discovered his brother pinned beneath the four wheeler, Dyer said.

"(Kason Murphy) was pinned beneath the machine less than three or four minutes," Dyer said. The accident was originally reported to have occurred in a hay field, but Kason Murphy had barely crossed over the mowed lawn when the four-wheeler turned over, Dyer said.

"He was riding close to the house," Dyer said. "The lawn abuts the hayfield. It happened right on the edge of the lawn and the hayfield."

State law prohibits anyone younger than 16 from riding off his or her family's property, but there are no limits on children riding on family property.

Craig Crosby--861-9253

ccroby@centralmaine.com

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