Not Your Last Ride

Contributed by Debra McGhan

Karen McCune Stewart had the day off from work. The weather was beautiful, so she set out to ride her All-Terrain-Vehicle (ATV) to scope out property near her home in Valdez. She’d done this many times, but this day proved to be her last ride. Although she was wearing a helmet, she died from serious injuries when the machine flipped landing on her.

Even years later the ache caused by her death still hurts for her friends and family.

Recently in early July 2022, two teenage girls out riding their ATV on a sunny afternoon near Ninilchik, also saw their fun turn to tragedy in an instant when the driver lost control and the 4-wheeler rolled and crashed. The 15-year-old driver was taken to the emergency room with serious injuries and is expected to survive. Her 14-year-old passenger did not make it home. She died of her injuries despite life-saving attempts. Neither of the teens wore a helmet.

All across Alaska these stories play out over and over. Most of the time the riders make it back safely and think nothing of the risk they have taken. Other times, the riders survive but end up with serious injuries like a broken neck and spend the rest of their lives unable to turn their head to look over their shoulder.

Dori Dawkins McGhan was just 12 years old when this happened to her. She and her friend were making a quick run to the store on Knik Road in Wasilla. As they were leaving and waving goodbye to friends, they veered off the trail and lost control, flipping the machine. Dawkins was transported to the hospital with her neck broken.

“We sort of cartwheeled down this hill so you couldn’t see us from the road,” said Dawkins McGhan.

“My friend tried to help but I told her to go get help. The only thing that saved me was my friend flagged down a car and the man who stopped had medical training and knew to stabilize my neck. Otherwise I probably would have died.”

Dawkins McGhan is now married with two children but is still unable to look over her shoulder without turning her entire body due to the fused vertebra in her neck. 

Mike Buck, Executive Director of the Alaska Safe Riders, is on a mission to spread education in an effort to reduce these incidents.  “Alaska is an incredible place to explore on an off-highway vehicle. Whether it’s a snowmachine, mountain bike, ATV or all-purpose vehicle (APV) there are incredible mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers… to explore. We have so much to experience here. But to do it safely, you need to get some training so you are prepared and know how to prevent some of the most common mistakes when riding.”

The Alaska Safe Riders board of directors includes world-champion riders and racers including Chris Olds, four-time Iron Dog Champion, Tyler Aklestad, three-time and current Iron Dog Champion and Pete Kaiser, Iditarod Champion. Buck, a retired high school teacher, previously worked as an avalanche and snowmachine instructor for the Alaska Avalanche Information Center as well as the Alaska Avalanche School, and for the state of Alaska Occupational Safety and Health administration. His years of riding and training experience, combined with his skill as an instructor, have made him renowned across Alaska for his knowledge and teaching style.

In the spring of 2022, Buck and two other instructors flew to Nome along with their snowmachines and safety equipment where they set out on a 1,000-mile journey to teach winter travel safety in schools and communities. Their route took them to the farthest reaches of Alaska on the western coast and ended in (Barrow) Utquagvik.

“It was an incredible experience and, in every village, and school we visited, we heard stories from residents about friends or family members that had been killed or seriously injured in ATV accidents,” said Buck. “It really touched us and confirmed this training is critical.”

Alaskans don’t just ride ATV’s for recreation. They are a part of life here. If you, or your children, own or ride an ATV, trail bike, off-highway vehicle or any motorized vehicle that takes you into the Alaskan wilderness, you owe it to yourself and your family and friends to seek out training. Take the time to make sure you are prepared with things like medical training, navigation skills, and proper riding techniques so you can experience the best Alaska has to offer and return to share your story.

Don’t make your next ride your last. Make it another great memory.

To learn more, visit https://www.alaskasaferiders.com.

PHOTO CREDITS:

Photos 1:  Photo by Chris Olds: Friends Riding in Alaska.

Photo 2: Photo by Mike Buck: Mountain Biking.

Photo 3: Photo by Mike Buck: Safe Riders Training.