KCTV 52 boys remain hospitalized after ATV crash

Less than a day after they were thrown from an ATV in Miami County, two local boys are still in the hospital.

The two brothers, KCTV5 news was told, have been in and out of surgery all day Tuesday at Children's Mercy Hospital. Their accident is a reminder of how quickly a joy ride can turn for the worse.

Below is a transcript of the 911 call:

Operator: "Miami County 911."

Caller: "I had a wreck. I hit someone on a 4-wheeler. I'm on Bucyrus Road."

Caller: "223rd & Switzer Road. I need help right away."

Operator: "223rd & Switzer?"

Caller: "Yes, Yes."

The chilling call recorded through dispatch shows a man's frantic cry for help. The driver would later find out that "someone" referred to during the call was actually two children, brothers, ages 8 and 14 who are students in the Louisburg School District.

The eldest brother was driving the ATV with his little brother riding on back, according to Miami County investigators.

"They are doing as about as well as they can be. They have been in and out of surgery all day but, at the scene, they were talking and that's all you can ask for," said Miami County, KS Undersheriff Wayne Minckley.

Neighbors said Switzer Road is a familiar road for ATV's and the kids like to play games across the very busy 223rd Street.

"Racing, jumping 223rd. It gives them a little airborne affect," neighbor Karen Miller said as she described some of the things kids do in the area.

Miami County deputies are still investigating, but said the driver of the pick-up truck was not at fault and will not be issued any citations. The children were southbound on Switzer Road when they ran the stop sign and the driver, headed eastbound on West 223rd Street, couldn't stop in time and hit them with his truck.

Minckley said the boys suffered several broken bones and lacerations.

Miller lives across from where the children were thrown several feet with no protection covering their heads.

"There should be helmet laws," she said. "If they are underage, they should be riding with a helmet no matter what."

"You can ride an ATV on a rural road, but only during the daylight hours. State statute doesn't mention a helmet. Riding on state and federal highways, that's prohibited," Minckley said.

Law enforcement personnel and lawn or custodial workers are an exception to this rule and are allowed on state and federal highways.

The boys are expected to recover from their injuries, but it's anticipated to be a long recovery as they heal.

Louisburg Superintendent Sharon Zellner said the district staff discussed the crash this morning. Counselors and social workers were on hand to assist upset students.

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