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5-year-old dies in ATV accident in Polk County

Posted at 9:31 PM, Nov 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-12 21:38:15-05

A 5-year-old child dies while riding an ATV with his father in Polk County.  It happened around 12 p.m. Saturday near 3705 West Socrum Loop Road in Kathleen.

Deputies say that that Joshua Heard, 32 of Lakeland was riding on an ATV with his son Eli.  Eli was sitting in front of his father wearing a soft helmet and Joshua was not wearing a helmet.

Joshua made a U-turn, accelerated and went northbound over a grass mound.  When he went over the grass mound, the tire support arm broke.  The ATV rolled several times and ejected them from the ATV.

Eli was transported to the hospital and declared deceased.  Joshua sustained injuries to his ribs.