Morning Sentinel
PALMYRA ACCIDENT
Officials
unsure how ATV rolled
By CRAIG CROSBY
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Monday, July 9, 2007

By CRAIG CROSBY

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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Rosa McGrail of Solon, ME
Jul 10, 2007 7:37 PM
My sincerest heartache to the family. I will not tell you how you feel, I can only say how I feel, and that moment of memory continues to take my breath away. For shame to you who would blame a parent for intentionally harming their child. Until you have put one in a casket think twice for what you say, it may come back to haunt you. Judgement is not for you to pass. It is for a higher power than us whether it be a power of above or a jury of your peers. You can not blame the morning sentinel full heartedly only because it is one sided reporting based on someone's word. We all know this and it is important to remember to grasp the whole story vs only a portion. For instance my son was a donor to more than five people, however they continue to report only five people. To date he has saved or enhanced the lives of more than 100 people. To the Murphy family, I am so sorry for your loss. There is not a parent who should lose a child. It is the most difficult to live with. The days do not get easier, they get different. I did see the picture of your beautiful boy in the obituaries, I sobbed and my heart ached for you. Always cherish the pictures. Read the story "Love You Forever" again and cherish it always. Parent's hug them often, hug them tight, tell them, I'll Love you Forever, Like You For Always, As Long as I'm Living My Baby You'll Be. It is not what if it is what is. I am so sorry for your heartbreak and your greatest loss. Mr and Mrs Murphy and young Kurtis my deepest sympathy, with love
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fulla34 of no.anson, ME
Jul 10, 2007 5:29 PM
My thoughts and prayer go out to this family, I haven't lost a child but I have lost a brother and nephew I thought it was before there time but I now they touched many before they passed. I'm sure your SON has also.Be strong and lean on each other thats what family's do.report abuse
Jan Gagne of Oakland, ME
Jul 10, 2007 9:07 AM
I don't know the family. But my heart and prayers go to them. This was a horrible accident. They will never get over this. How anyone could point fingers is beyond comprehension to me. They loved thier child. It is a sad thing when people accuse instead of support. My heart goes out to the Murphy's and thier son Kurtisreport abuse
me of Rockwood, ME
Jul 10, 2007 7:11 AM
May heart goes out to the family. This was an accident which will be remembered for a long long time. Again, the family has my deepest sympathy.report abuse
Jylle Marion of Derry, NH
Jul 9, 2007 11:01 PM
My Deepest Sympathy,

I am so tired of reading these posts.

I cannot believe such posts can be permitted during a family's tragedy. God forbid THEY come on-line and read some of this....shame on you..

My heart feels for the Murphy family. I know Jason and Kurtis and cannot believe this has happened. No family deserves such sorrow. I wish with all my heart that the love they have will withstand this tragedy.

Turn to each other in your time of need- Hold one another close.

There is no greater loss than a child or a sibling.

With empathy,

The Marion Family





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felix of Canaan, ME
Jul 9, 2007 7:21 PM
My prayers and thoughts are with this family during this truly difficult time.
It's unfortunate that most of us believe what we read in the newspapers or see on the TV news. If we can't trust what the MOrning Sentinel prints then why don't we just stop buying and reading this local rag. I'd rather learn the true facts days after an incident than to read lies that the paper insists on printing just to sell a few extra copies.report abuse
pam of unity, ME
Jul 9, 2007 4:24 PM
I cannot believe some of these poeple who write things.. it was a accident let the boy rest in piece ..People make mistakes weather it is the newspaper or whoever ..im sure this family is going through a lot right know.. report abuse
Mike Brown of Hartland, ME
Jul 9, 2007 4:09 PM
I would like for all who are so quick to accuse and point fingers and bash a grieving parent when they are at their lowest to think about something the next time something like this happens:

do you let your child ride a bike on or off your property?
do you let your child ride a snomobile in the winter,on or off your property?
do you take your child for a boat ride on a fun summer day?
do you live in a single or a two story home?if its a two story does your child have a bedroom on the second floor?

if you answer yes to any of these then SHAME on you, you should have child endangerment charges filed on you because that child could fall and be seriously injured or worse die!
sounds pretty stupid huh?think about it.

Jason and Misha are very close friends of mine, and it was a sincere shock for my family when we got the news of Kasons accident.

I will not call anyone here ignorant, I only ask that you ask yourselves these few questions the next time you see an article such as this.
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tammy whittemore of skowhegan, ME
Jul 9, 2007 3:40 PM
What is uncalled for is people getting on here and blaming these parents and saying they should be charged with abuse and/or neglect. These people do NOT know these parents NOR do they know the whole story. A little boy is gone and yes you are correct in that the focus should have stayed on that. However, like I said before I do know the parents so my emotions got the best of me. I certainly was not looking for an argument. My hope was that these people would think twice before they discredit a parent who has just lost a child. report abuse
TTB14 of ANSON, ME
Jul 9, 2007 3:35 PM
Accident...maybe some of you should look up the meaning in the dictionary."1 a : an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance" directly from Webster's dictionary. No one planned for this tragedy, no one asked for it, no one is to blame for it. This young boy had probably ridden his ATV 100 times or more without incident. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!!! For people to say his parents are at fault is absolutely ludicrous. As a parent myself, I teach my 10 year old about the dangers of any event he participates in whether it is riding his bike or playing a sport. He drives a stock car at Unity Raceyway...am I neglegent parent for allowing him to do this? NO! We have taken all of the proper precautions above and beyond what is required and he has practiced and trained enough to know what he is doing. And he knows the dangers he could face. Of course there are risks...we all face risks every day just walking out of the house. But no one is to blame. My heart goes out to this family for having to suffer such a loss and deal with all this nonsense at the same time. Instead of bashing this family, why not just hug your own children tightly and tell them that you love them? Why not show this family some support that I'm sure they will need for years to come. No one should have to lose a child, no matter what the circumstances may have been. Again, our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they should be.report abuse

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