BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal ATV accident in Barton County.
On Saturday, September 26 at about 9:40 AM Sheriff’s officers responded to a routine ambulance assist at 5540 2nd St., lot F, on the southwest side of Great Bend just outside the city limits, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
It was reported the subject had been in an ATV accident the prior evening and was unconscious. A family member called for the ambulance.
On Sunday morning, the Sheriff’s office received reports the victim had died in a Wichita area hospital.
Typically, ATV and recreational vehicle accidents are not investigated as motor vehicle accidents if they did not occur on a road or highway. When deputies became aware the accident resulted in a fatality, a death investigation was initiated, according to Bellendir.
Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives were able to determine that Ryan Hamby, age 32 of Great Bend was operating a 2000 White, Yamaha ATV four-wheeler on the river dike just southwest of Great Bend near Patton Road.
The investigation indicates at about 11:30p.m. Friday, Hamby was eastbound on the river dike on a walking trail. It appears that for unknown reasons Hamby struck a metal barrier installed on the path and he was ejected from the ATV and struck the pavement.
He was found by other citizens and transported to his residence on second Street. A family member arrived Saturday morning and found Hamby unconscious and an ambulance was called. Ryan Hamby succumbed to his injuries Saturday night at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
Evidence indicates the fatality was accidental in nature and the Sheriff’s office is awaiting further forensic evidence from the coroner’s office in Wichita.