Mattie Claire Harrison was a wonderful typical 9 year old who loved life. It was a typical Louisiana day with the summer drawing to a close for the kids. School was fixing to start back only four days to go. Mattie, her sister Shalee, step brother Casey and a friend of Casey's were riding the four wheelers in the yard which is not uncommon for people of southern Louisiana. On august 7, 2008 our lives were forever changed when we received a phone call by an emergency personnel informing us that Mattie was being transported to Lake Charles memorial hospital in critical condition. With her mother by her side, Mattie was flown via helicopter while CPR was performed by her mother and then turned over to the paramedics. Mattie passed away before they arrived due to a head injury. According to the investigative report, they believe the 4-wheeler overturned landing on top of her. In that moment all of our lives were shattered. In lieu of this incident I, her step-mother, her father, and mother have become advocates for protective gear to be worn. Even then that might not be good enough. Please think before allowing your child on an ATV. You don't get second chances.
Mattie Claire Harrison was a wonderful typical 9 year old who loved life. It was a typical Louisiana day with the summer drawing to a close for the kids. School was fixing to start back only four days to go. Mattie, her sister Shalee, step brother Casey and a friend of Casey's were riding the four wheelers in the yard which is not uncommon for people of southern Louisiana. On august 7, 2008 our lives were forever changed when we received a phone call by an emergency personnel informing us that Mattie was being transported to Lake Charles memorial hospital in critical condition. With her mother by her side, Mattie was flown via helicopter while CPR was performed by her mother and then turned over to the paramedics. Mattie passed away before they arrived due to a head injury. According to the investigative report, they believe the 4-wheeler overturned landing on top of her. In that moment all of our lives were shattered. In lieu of this incident I, her step-mother, her father, and mother have become advocates for protective gear to be worn. Even then that might not be good enough. Please think before allowing your child on an ATV. You don't get second chances.