COVENTRY – A 14-year-old Afton boy died of massive internal injuries Tuesday after his sled careened into the snow-covered roadway and into the path of car.
Robert Baxter, 14, of 276 Beebe Road, was rushed to Wilson Regional Medical Center in Johnson City as emergency crews constantly performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) at the scene and in the ambulance. Despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
The accident occurred at around 11:52 a.m. yesterday in the Town of Afton as a light snow fell over the region and covered the roadways.
“Throughout the day there were other kids sledding at the location, but at the time of the accident, only one other teenager was present,” said Chenango County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Richard Cobb.
The teens had been sliding down a private driveway along Beebe Ave. when a Ford Focus operated by 27-year-old Jason Poss, who lives just down the road from the victim, was driving past the area the boys were playing. Poss and his passenger, Jordan Boudreau, 18, had their views obstructed by trees and bushes, said Cobb, and were unable to stop in time to avoiding striking Baxter as his sled suddenly came into the road. Poss and Boudreau were not injured.
“Whenever you get a call for a child, it just a terrible tragedy. No family can prepare itself for something like this. It’s just a shame you have see these things. It obviously devastates the family, the community and the driver of the vehicle,” said Chenango County Sheriff Thomas Loughren.
Detective Cobb said there would be no tickets issued and that “the cause of the accident was determined not to be the fault of the operator.”
Baxter was one of four brothers who attended school in the Afton School District, said Afton Central School Superintendent Elizabeth Briggs.
According to Briggs, the youth was a ninth grader at the Harrold Occupational Education Center in Trout Creek which is operated by BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) and that he was not in school Tuesday.
“We’ve (the district) has been in contact with the family, but as of yesterday afternoon we didn’t know what we could really do for them but offer our support any way we can,” said Briggs.
Although school was only scheduled for half a day today, Briggs said the district’s crisis team met yesterday after hearing the news to discuss how to aid the students and family. Counselors will be made available this morning for the students and additional steps may be taken after the holiday break, said the superintendent. “It’s just a horrible tragedy,” she said.
The weather created a flurry of activity of emergency response teams in the area yesterday and this morning.
Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo said, “It’s a busy morning. Crews have responded to eight calls since 6:30 a.m. A lot of slip and falls and car accidents. Crews were up all night last night doing the same.”
“Due to the road conditions and the wet snow, there were numerous accidents yesterday. One cars, two cars, property and personal injuries and the unfortunate fatality,” said Chenango County Deputy Fire Coordinator Michael K. Beckwith.
A few of the calls reported Tuesday morning involved a rolled truck, a two car property damage collision and a hit and run involving a tractor trailer that drove off from the scene, said Beckwith.
The Sheriff wants people to note the season’s first snow-related tragedy and remind themselves of the dangers of winter roadways, especially during inclement weather. “Wintertime can be especially fun for children playing outdoors,” Loughren said, but he urged people to use caution while enjoying outdoor winter activities.
“Let’s just hope it’ll be the only one this year,” he said.