Death at Oceano Dunes raises safety concerns

A Visalia man was killed in an ATV accident at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) last Saturday, after his Yamaha Rhino ATV toppled.

Lieutenant Mike Lack, the supervising state parks peace officer at the Oceano State Parks said that while the coroner is still investigating the cause of death, the scene of the accident shows how Jose Lopez Jr. was killed.

“The vehicle basically rolled over on top of him,” Lack said. “This particular vehicle is like a small car. It has safety side doors as well as full body restraints.”

Other features of the Yamaha Rhino include roll cages as well as two to four seats — Lopez’s model had four seats. The Yamaha Rhino SUV differs from the ATVs most people are familiar with, in that most lack roll cages and full body restraints.

Read the full article at: http://mustangdaily.net/41457/