HealthNet aborts life-flight after Arnoldsburg youth dies from injuries
An Arnoldsburg youth is Calhoun's first ATV fatality of 2006, the third ATV incident reported in the county in less than a week.
Michael Whipkey (pictured left), 17, a junior at Calhoun High School, died Sunday after suffering severe trauma when his 4-wheeler went out of control and went over a steep embankment, throwing him from the vehicle.
The youth, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Whipkey, was riding the ATV in the Spring Run-Road Run area near Arnoldsburg about 1:15 p.m.
Sources at the scene indicated Whipkey landed some distance from where the 4-wheeler came to rest.
Sheriff Carl Ballengee said the accident was discovered by a passerby, who called 911.
Ballengee said the youth was wearing a helmet.
Calhoun EMS and the Arnoldsburg VFD quickly responded to the scene, and transported Whipkey to the Arnoldsburg Community Park where he was to have been life-flighted to Charleston by HealthNet.
The flight was aborted after the youth's life-signs ceased.
Coroner Ed Messenger was notified and the body was released to the John H. Taylor Funeral Home of Spencer, in charge of arrangements.
Photo from the CHS yearbook, the Calhounian
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