'It’s a mother’s worst nightmare': fatal ATV crash prompts helmet drive for First Nations communities
A fatal ATV crash is the driving force behind a Manitoba woman’s goal to collect 1000 helmets to promote the safe use of the vehicles in First Nations communities.
“It’s a mother’s worst nightmare,” said Marilyn Courchene, who lives on Sagkeeng First Nation.
Katie Pchajek, a mother of three, crashed the ATV she was riding while trying to serve and avoid hitting a dog. The result was a fractured skull.
“When I heard I went running over with the car and I had to revive her myself. I was trying to do CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,” said Courchene. “If she would have worn that helmet, she would have been safe.”
As a legacy to honour her daughter, Courchene has launched the “Katie Wear a Helmet Everyday” campaign. It aims to promote safe ATV use and provide helmets for riders.
Courchene said the initiative has the support of her community, First Nations leaders, and the local police detachment in Powerview-Pine Falls.
However, support will only go so far, according to Courchene. She said there is an increased need for enforcement as she often sees riders without helmets around the community.
Enforcement efforts fall on the shoulders of multiple area organizations, including the RCMP and First Nation safety officers, who enforce band bylaws and provincial statutes, and there is the Off-Road Vehicle Act.
“Our preference right now, and our approach to it is education, but we do have the ability to enforce it through fines,” said Staff Sgt. Jeff Monkman, RCMP detachment commander for Powerview and Bloodvein detachments.
Monkman said enforcement concerns are not limited to Sagkeeng First Nation, with requests for increased enforcement and education efforts coming from all nine local governments in the area. The job, however, is difficult due to the sheer volume of trails and off-road vehicles.
ATV accident data from Manitoba RCMP indicates a significant increase in serious ATV injury collisions in Manitoba in 2020 and 2021 with 36 and 38 cases respectively. In 2019 there were 22 and just seven in 2018.
The data also shows an individual was not wearing a helmet in about 30 per cent of all the serious or fatal ATV accidents.
Courchene’s initiative is still in its infancy, but donations are starting to come in. She hopes to get expanded helmet distribution through organizations like the Bear Clan in Winnipeg. With an ambitious goal of 1,000 helmets, she hopes to partner with an off-road vehicle company to be able to buy in bulk.
She also hopes the initiative will grow beyond the boundaries of her own community to include other First Nations in Canada.
“These kids go like 100 miles an hour sometimes and they’re thinking they’re immune to accidents,” said Courchene. “If you want to do that kind of transportation, be safe at all times.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.