PALATKA, Fla. — Within 24 hours, two helicopters were called to Hog Waller Campground & ATV Resort in Palatka for two separate UTV crashes that left multiple people injured on Friday and Saturday. It's the same park where three people lost their lives due to ATV crashes in recent years.
According to the Putnam County Fire Rescue Union, multiple units responded to a UTV crash that trapped someone on Saturday afternoon.
First responders declared one trauma alert, and a helicopter was requested for the victim to be taken to a Level 1 trauma center. The victim's condition is unknown at this time.
This crash comes less than 15 hours after a separate UTV crash at Hog Waller.
On Friday night, multiple units responded and declared trauma alerts for multiple patients involved in a UTV crash at Hog Waller.
The victims were also flown to a Level 1 trauma center to have their injuries assessed. Their conditions are unknown.
History of deadly crashes
These crashes aren't the first the ATV park has seen in recent years. Several people have lost their lives after crashing ATVs at Hog Waller.
Since 2019, three people have died due to crashing at the park. Most recently, in April 2023, a 30-year-old passenger on an ATV was ejected when the driver lost control and overturned the vehicle while driving at the park. The passenger died at the hospital from his injuries.
In July 2021, a 65-year-old man from Citrus Springs died after the ATV he was riding in crashed at the park. The driver also suffered serious injuries.
Two months later, a woman was life-flighted after an ATV accident involving two other people who also sustained injuries.
In June 2019, William T. Lemire, 31, died when his ATV overturned at Hog Waller. He left behind three children.
A 3-year-old was killed in December 2011 when the child's relative backed up over them at Hog Waller, the Florida Times-Union reported.
Lawsuits allege negligence led to crashes
Others involved in serious accidents at the park have filed lawsuits arguing negligence by Hog Waller caused them grave injuries.
One filed by a woman named Angela Williams says she was permanently injured in an accident at Hog Waller on March 3, 2023.
Another lawsuit, filed on behalf of Maya Pisula, states the plaintiff was hit at a high speed on New Year's Eve in 2022 by someone who was driving an ATV under the influence.
The suit argues Hog Waller was negligent for failing to warn visitors about the risks involving people who drive under the influence on the property.
Paths, trails and mud bogs within the recreational area are unreasonably dangerous and cause collisions, the lawsuit added.