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Florida Highway Patrol
A 7-year-old died Sunday after the all-terrain vehicle on which he was riding overturned in a well-known mudbogging park, authorities reported.
The boy succumbed to his injuries following a single-vehicle vehicle crash at Hog Waller, 454 County Road 310 in Palatka, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
The child's father, 32, was driving the ATV through Hog Waller Campground & ATV Resort around 2:06 p.m. Sunday when the vehicle made a sharp turn and flipped, the report reads.
The ATV overturned onto the boy, who had been seated behind his father, the report states. When the ATV flipped over, the boy also struck a tree stump, according to the agency.
The boy was transported to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka, where he later died. His father sustained only minor injuries, FHP reported.
The two, who were from Reddick, hadn’t been wearing seatbelts or helmets, authorities said.
Sunday’s death is at least the fifth reported to FHP since 2019, and there were other crashes where victims sustained critical injuries.
Before operating ATVs at Hog Waller, guests must sign consent waivers, which warn of the dangers they face and absolve the park of liability if crashes occur.
The waivers to enter Hog Waller, also listed as Magnolia Dunes in court papers, state a parent gives up their and their child’s right to sue even if death happens.
The park’s limited liability waivers cover the possible endangerment of children and adults. People who do not sign the waivers are not allowed to enter, according to the forms.
“You are agreeing that, even if Magnolia Dunes, LLC, uses reasonable care in providing this activity, there is a chance your child may be seriously injured or killed by participating in this activity because there are certain dangers inherent in the activity which cannot be avoided or eliminated,” the waiver a parent or guardian must sign states.