Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an ORV accident that happened Saturday in Vanderburgh County and claimed the life of the passenger.
Just after 7 p.m., responders were dispatched to the area of the 12500 block of Saint Wendel Road just south of the Diamond Island Road intersection.
Upon arrival, officers learned that a side-by-side ORV being driven by Natalie Skeels, 35, of Evansville, lost control on a curve, striking a tree. Concerned citizens removed Skeels and her passenger, Bryn Dant, 35, of Poseyville, from the ORV and provided lifesaving measures.
Dant, who was not wearing or using safety gear at the time of the accident, was transported to Deaconess Midtown Hospital where she died of her injuries.
This incident is still under investigation.
Other responding agencies included the Scott Township Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department.
Indiana Conservation Officers remind the public that ORV operators and passengers should always wear a helmet, protective riding gear, and use all ORV safety restraints.
For information on ORV laws and safe operating procedures, please visit offroad-ed.com/in/handbook/ and on.IN.gov/offroading.