Sadly, a five-year-old from Hammond, MT was killed in an ATV accident on saturday. His obituary is on the Stevenson and Sons Ekalaka web site.

Why people think a child who weighs 50 pounds can control a device that outweighs him four to one by brute strength, I do not know.

Amorette Allison wrote:

Why people think a child who weighs 50 pounds can control a device that outweighs him four to one by brute strength, I do not know.

That is presumptuous. Maybe the ATV was his size.

This family has unimaginable sadness and since the details of this accident are not known, it is very unfair to make any assumptions.

I have known this family for many years and the entire extended family are some of the best people I know.

Out of kindness and respect for this wonderful humble family, I think it is best not to discuss this situation on this forum.

A note or card to this family would be the best way to show compassion. You can also extend your empathy on the Stevenson's website.

What horrible heartbreak. My sympathies to all.

I don't believe there is a "his size" ATV for a 5 year old.

I wonder why, as humans, we look for fault...rather than pray for strength for the other humans who have lost their loved one.

Thank you, Leah!
Bridgier, I am attending the prayer service tonight in Ekalaka and the details of the accident will not be on my mind nor in my heart at all- I am sure everyone involved will painfully relive them forever-

The continued support and love for this fine family are what matters. As a parent and grandparent, I know how tender life is and how quickly accidents can and do happen.

How heartless.

A family is obviously grieving and the first shot is a blame card. If it said the cause was an auto accident would you assume he was driving and why throw blame at parents who are in extreme grief.

If it were me, I would erase that comment immediately and reflect that this is a forum in a small community. The people you are talking about are not nameless or faceless and the child could have been one of the many photographed by your husband. I find it highly abnormal that the first response isn't compassion instead of accusation. Accidents happen. It's not their fault.

Busch Lite is the one that suggested the child may have been on an ATV built for a toddler. Go yell at him.

I agree with Leah and Stewart. An accident happened, a precious little boy was killed. Does it matter now what the details were? NO, he is gone and his family will suffer from this tragedy forever. My sympathy goes out to the family. I cannot imagine losing a child or grandchild no matter what the circumstances were.

Ever think that maybe the child had ridden with others on an ATV before and decided to sneak and try to do it on his own? Children sometimes do things like that. I wouldn't presume anything. A child has been killed in a tragic accident and his family is hurting. Prayers for this family in their time of grief!

Stacie Miller

Bridgier wrote:

Busch Lite is the one that suggested the child may have been on an ATV built for a toddler. Go yell at him.

The main point I was trying to make was not to be presumptuous, as the poster to whom I was responding routinely is... I merely offered rationale as to why she might be incorrect.

How the accident happened is not important. The best thing we can do here is to support the family and help them through the grief that has so suddenly descended upon them.

My condolences to the family. I am truly sorry for your loss.

I am sure not a second has gone by since this family lost that beautiful little boy that they haven't wished they had done something different. It is not our place to pass judgement since we were not there and do not know the situation, but we as human beings can have compassion and pray for this family as they go thru this terrible ordeal. I can not in my wildest imagination fathom what these poor people are going thru, because have not lost a child. Please give this family a break and not say things that will cause them more pain. This family has suffered other losses in the past. Keep them in your prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.

Amen!