7-year-old boy dies in ATV crash at Putnam County campground, resort
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A 7-year-old boy is dead after a crash at Hog Waller Campground & ATV Resort in Palatka on Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened around 2:06 p.m.
An FHP crash report states that the 7-year-old was sitting behind a 32-year-old man operating an ATV when the driver made a sharp turn, flipping the vehicle.
The ATV overturned onto the child as he struck a tree stump, according to FHP.
The child was taken to the Putnam General Hospital where he died. The man driving the ATV suffered minor injuries.
History of serious, deadly crashes at Hog Waller
Several people have lost their lives after crashing ATVs at Hog Waller, including four since 2019.
In April 2023, a 30-year-old passenger on an ATV was ejected when the driver lost control and overturned the vehicle while driving at the park. The passenger died at the hospital from his injuries.
In July 2021, a 65-year-old man from Citrus Springs died after the ATV he was riding in crashed at the park. The driver also suffered serious injuries.
Two months later, a woman was life-flighted after an ATV accident involving two other people who also sustained injuries.
In June 2019, William T. Lemire, 31, died when his ATV overturned at Hog Waller. He left behind three children.
A 3-year-old was killed in December 2011 when the child's relative backed up over them at Hog Waller, the Florida Times-Union reported.
Just two months ago, two helicopters were called to Hog Waller for two separate UTV crashes that left multiple people injured.
First Coast News reached out to Hog Waller for comment on this story and is waiting to hear back.
This story was first published by First Coast News.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Child, 7, killed at Florida ATV park with history of deadly crashes
