Adam Morse

Adam was the youngest of my 3 children, 6 years younger then the middle child and only boy he became very spoiled -- or should I say, babied, by Mom. He was a very likeable kid; well behaved with many friends in this small rural NH town.

Adam loved sports and being with other kids and all school and after school activities. Adam got his first ATV (small) when he was 6 years old after his Dad and I divorced, only riding it in a small yard with supervision at his Dads place. Later, when he was 9, I bought him a dirt bike ( pw 80 yamaha) he really loved the off road sport and most of his friends including his best friend next door all had the dirt bikes and ATV's , when he was younger he rode with supervision but as he got a bit older I began to feel comfortable and let him ride up and down the dirt road that I lived on. After the boy next door got an ATV that was all he could talk about was getting an ATV for himself.

For his 12th birthday Adam, his Dad and I pooled our money and bought him a 250 Timberwolf Yamaha. He was beside himself on this four-wheeler and could not get enough of it. I remember when the ATV was unloaded into the driveway, my legs turned to jelly looking at how big this thing was and how small he still was.

I was assured that he would be fine and that he could handle this machine. At almost 5 feet tall and 100 pounds he would quickly grow into it -- or so we thought. As I watched him ride and saw how easily he seemed to handle it I relaxed and became more comfortable. It did not take long for this ATV to be a replacement for his bicycle. He drove it around the dirt roads like it was a child's toy.

If only I had known that 2 short months later he would die as a result of trying to avoid hitting a truck on our quiet road and losing control and hitting a tree.

Adam hit his head and died instantly and was wearing a helmet The neighbors and myself came running out to try and save him. I watched my neighbor pump his chest and give him mouth to mouth. All I could do was scream "somebody help my baby," on my knees, because I could no longer stand.

As a parent who did not know the danger's of a child on an ATV I feel like I didn't protect my child from himself. However if I had known how dangerous it really was and how many children have died on these things I would have never bought it.

Adam died on June 5th 2002 and my heart still breaks for him, 5 years later.

Thank you for hearing my story.

Lynne Gauron

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