PIEDMONT, Ala. — A tragic accident at Indian Mountain ATV Park on Saturday, August 30, claimed the lives of two adults and left seven children injured, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. when emergency responders were called to the remote site and arrived approximately 18 minutes later.

According to Cherokee County Emergency Management Director Shawn Rogers, a side-by-side RZR carrying nine people collided with another RZR, overturned, and struck a tree. The driver was ejected and died at the scene. A woman and three children were airlifted via medical helicopters to trauma centers in Birmingham, while four additional children were transported by Piedmont EMS and Atrium-Floyd EMS to Atrium-Floyd Medical Center in Rome, Georgia. The woman later succumbed to her injuries.

Authorities identified the adult victims as Marcus Ragland and Ashley Hawkins, both from Rome, Georgia. The seven children involved ranged in age from 1 to 12 years old; their current conditions have not been fully released.

Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald acknowledged the difficulty of the scene, particularly given the involvement of children, while Sheriff Jeff Shaver emphasized the importance of safe and responsible operation of recreational vehicles.

Multiple agencies responded, including Spring Garden Fire, Floyd EMS, Piedmont Rescue, Cherokee County EMA, 911 dispatchers, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.