Catawba County child dies after ATV crash
Posted 6:14 am, June 13, 2016, by Web Staff
Photo credit: WSOC
CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Seven-year-old Travis Belton was at his great-grandfather’s house on Friday, helping his uncle unload an all-terrain vehicle from a truck and put it in the garage when he asked if he could hop on for the short ride.
According to WSOC, his family said something happened and the ATV flipped over onto Travis.
He was rushed to the hospital, where he later died. Investigators say he suffered serious head injuries.
“Sometimes we let stuff slide, you know, it’s OK, you’re just putting it in the building,” said Travis’ father. “Those two seconds just taking it to the building can take everything.”
His family described Travis as a bright, selfless young boy. He had just graduated from first grade and received the “lifesaver award,” given to a student for their positive and kind nature.
“If you met him, you loved him. He never met a stranger. He was just a good kid. He was happy. He loved the outdoors,” his aunt Shameka Presnell said.
They said Travis knew to wear a helmet, but for this short trip, didn’t put one on. They said that wearing a helmet could’ve saved his life.
As they work through the tragedy, the Belton family hopes others will remember Travis and keep their loved ones safe.