33-year-old man dies in ATV crash

A 33-year-old Eel River Barman who wasn't wearing a helmethas died after losing control of his all-terrain vehicleon a forest roadabout 12 kilometres from Balmoralin northern New Brunswick.

The ATV left an old IP road on a turn and collided with trees at about 3:30 a.m. Monday, said Sgt. FrancoisCtof the RCMPin Campbellton.

"Due to the fact he wasn't wearing a helmet, the collision combined with branches and trees coming into [contact] with the operator's head,caused the male to die," he said.

Had the man worn a helmet, he might have survived,Ctsaid.

"I'm assuming if he would have ran off-road, the helmet would have protected his head from direct contact with branches and trees," he said. "It is possible it could have saved his life. It would have [given] him a chance at least."

Ctsaid he didn't know if there were other factors in the crash, but the RCMP plan to speakwith at least one witness who was following the man on another ATV. That person wasnot injured.

The area is popular withATVriders, Ct said, but hedoesn't believe there have been any crashes in the past two years.

- With files from Karissa Donkin