Franklin ATV operator dies following accident in Sanbornton Sunday

SANBORNTON — A Franklin resident died following an ATV accident on Knox Mountain Road on Sunday.

Sgt. Alex Lopashanski of NH Fish and Game, who responded to the scene, said the identity of the victim has not yet been released, but confirmed the operator was male.

“Just a reasonable amount of time for the family to gather themselves before we release the name, or to communicate amongst themselves,” Lopashanksi said.

A passerby placed a call to 911 shortly after 1 a.m. on July 6. Along with Fish and Game officers, the Sanbornton police and fire departments responded to the scene.

The man suffered a severe head injury, and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was transported to a local funeral home.

The incident is still under investigation, and no witnesses have come forward so far. Lopashanski said it is likely the victim went off the side of the road onto the shoulder and collided with the embankment. Results of a toxicology report are pending to determine if the driver was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. Lopashanski said speed could have contributed to the accident.

“Speed was probably a factor. And it always is, unfortunately, because the faster you're going, the more serious the injuries are,” he said.

NH Fish and Game officers respond to accidents involving all off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles. Because the accident was on a dirt road maintained by a local municipality, the town police department responded as well. The fire department responds to 911 calls, along with police, to provide advanced life support ambulances, and all firefighters have at least basic EMT training. The department always has two firefighter-EMTs providers in the building, 24 hours a day.

“All law enforcement departments in New Hampshire work as team together, because we are all small groups, for the most part,” Lopashanski said.

The fire department is considered an all-hazard organization, meaning they also respond to calls from hazardous material incidents, building fires and cardiac arrests. For motor vehicle accidents, Sanbornton Fire Chief Paul Dexter said the fire department always clears the scene before other first responders can investigate.

“Motor vehicle accidents, things of that nature, the fire department is actually in charge of that incident until all the hazards are removed,” he said. “Even on the interstate, the fire department is responsible for that incident, above and beyond the state police.”