Rhode Island Woman Injured In ATV Accident In Gorham

GORHAM, NH - On September 6, 2020 at approximately 5:30 p.m., law enforcement personnel from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the Coos County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) collision on the Smitty’s Trail in Jericho Mountain State Park.

Upon notification of the incident, members of the Gorham Fire Department (GFD) and Berlin Fire Department (BFD) as well as EMS personnel from Gorham EMS and Berlin Ambulance responded to the scene.

Once on the scene, law enforcement personnel confirmed that an adult operator and youth passenger were involved in the collision. The adult operator was identified as Kelly O’Connell, 54 from Westerly, Rhode Island. The passenger was a 10 year-old male.

NH Fish and Game said "Based on information gathered at the scene, it appears that the operator lost control of the ATV after going over a large piece of ledge, while traveling south and heading downhill. Upon going over the ledge, the ATV traveled to the left and subsequently off the trail and into a tree. As a result, O’Connell sustained a serious injury, while the youth passenger suffered only minor injury. O’Connell was riding with her husband, who was operating a separate ATV when the incident occurred."

The operator and passenger were treated on-scene for their injuries by EMS personnel and were transported from the scene to an awaiting ambulance on the BFD and GFD Rescue Utility-Terrain Vehicle (UTV). EMS personnel from Gorham EMS then transported the injured parties by Ambulance to Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH) in Berlin for further evaluation and treatment. Both the operator and passenger were wearing a helmet and eye protection.

NH Conservation Officer Robert M. Mancini said "Challenging terrain on the trail and operator inattention are considered to be the primary contributing factors."