April 3, 2009

Bluffton teen hurt in dirt bike crash

Taking off

Medic Perry Milholland walks away as Ossian firefighters and medics watch the Samaritan helicopter take off Thursday afternoon taking Connor Whitesell, 15, of Bluffton, to Parkview. (Photo by Glen Werling)

A Bluffton teenager suffered severe injuries following a crash on a dirt bike on private property along 800N west of the railroad tracks Thursday.

Connor Whitesell, 15, was flown by Samaritan helicopter to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. He is the son of Steven and Marissa Whitesell of 224 Ridgeview Place, Bluffton.

Whitesell reported no feeling from his mid-chest to the soles of his feet following the accident. He was listed in critical condition this morning at Parkview.

Sgt. Kurt Powell of the Wells County Sheriff’s Department said the 4:33 p.m. accident happened as Whitesell was riding the motorcycle on a dirt track at the Scott and Amanda Baker residence, 2046E-800N. The homemade track was designed specifically for riding dirt bikes and included several mounds of dirt designed for motorcycle riders to jump over.

“It appears that he miscalculated a jump,” said Powell. The bike flipped forward, pitching Whitesell head first over the handlebars.

“He landed on the top of his head,” said Powell, who added that Whitesell was wearing all of the protective equipment that dirt bike riders wear, including a helmet.

Whitesell was conscious when medics and Ossian firefighters arrived on the scene, however he reported being unable to feel anything below his chest. Parkview Samaritan was asked to fly to the scene.

A landing zone was set up by Ossian firefighters next door on the property of Ronnie and Madalene Smitley, 1964E-800N. The helicopter landed on a large lawn area next to the pond.

Whitesell was taken by medics and firefighters to a waiting ambulance nearby. He was then taken out onto 800N and driven a distance of about 300 feet to the west where he was taken off the ambulance and carried about 200 feet south to the waiting helicopter.

Whitesell was “hot loaded” into the helicopter—meaning the helicopter’s motor was never turned off, indicating the seriousness of Whitesell’s condition. Within 10 minutes of landing, the helicopter was on its way to Parkview.

The dirt bike sustained minimal damage in the wreck.

Assisting Powell in the investigation was fellow deputy Ryan Mounsey, Sgt. Chad Foreman of the Ossian Police Department and a state trooper.

glenw@news-banner.com

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