Overview

• Two side-by-side ATVs collided on a remote trail on Aug. 30, and the overloaded vehicle carrying nine people traveled about 150 feet before rolling and striking a tree.
• The male driver was ejected and died at the scene, an adult female died after being airlifted to a Birmingham trauma center, and the two occupants of the second ATV were uninjured.
• Seven children ages 1 to 12 were hurt, with three flown to Birmingham and four taken by ambulance to a hospital in Rome, Georgia, and at least one child was reported in critical condition.
• The county coroner said the man who died was the father of all seven injured children and the woman was the mother of three of the children, and officials have not released identities pending family notifications.
• Authorities described difficult access that required park staff to escort responders, reported that occupants lacked restraints and that the nine-person load exceeded typical limits, and said the sheriff’s office is leading an ongoing investigation with toxicology results pending.