Yamaha Rhino Rollover: Texas boy dies in Rhino rollover

Texas boy dies in Rhino rollover

August 18th, 2008 by Wendi Lewis

A Texas boy, Michael McCloud, age 8, died over the weekend when he was thrown from a Yamaha Rhino when it rolled over. He was a passenger on the vehicle, driven by 12-year-old Kinsey McCloud, also of Richardson, Texas. The accident took place in McClain County, Oklahoma. It is unclear if or how the two youngsters are related.

Also involved in the Yamaha Rhino rollover accident was Sue Harrison, 59, of Lindsey, Oklahoma. It was reported that Kinsey was making a sharp turn late Saturday afternoon when the vehicle overturned, ejecting both passengers. Michael suffered massive trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a report in the Tulsa World.

This situation is tragic for two reasons, not least of which that a 12-year-old was driving this heavy piece of equipment. I feel for poor Kinsey, who was undoubtedly not mature or strong enough to deal with the situation when the Yamaha Rhino rolled over, and will now have to live with the undeserved guilt sure to result from such a tragedy.

A Yamaha Rhino is a high-powered side-by-side vehicle, weighing more than 1,000 pounds. The All Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute (ASI) recommends that young people be at least 16 years old to operate any ATV, and that younger children be closely supervised by an adult. The news story doesn’t mention if the young people were wearing protective gear.

Adding to the tragedy are pending claims allege that design defects make the Rhino fundamentally unstable. Information on the company’s web site, www.yamaha-motor.com and in the Yamaha Rhino Owner’s Manual acknowledges that “abrupt maneuvers or aggressive driving have caused rollovers - even on flat, open areas.”

Tags: ASI, ATV, rollover, Texas, Yamaha Rhino

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