'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
'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Sask. police seize 1.5M pieces of evidence, lay 60 more charges in child exploitation case
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.
Bouchard scores late to lift Oilers over Canucks, tie series
After a final frame that saw the visiting Vancouver Canucks claw their way back and tie the game late, a point shot by Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard with 38 seconds left (until what seemed like certain overtime) iced the 3-2 victory for Edmonton to knot the series.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker rails against Pride month, working women in commencement speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against Pride month, working women, President Biden's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and abortion during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend.
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
King Charles III has unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues.
Full List Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Alberta announces the 4 health agencies that will replace AHS later this year
The province has released more information on its plan to break up Alberta Health Services and replace it with four sector-based health agencies.
Biden administration moving ahead on US$1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than US$1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.