LOCAL NEWS

Couple suffers burns after off-road vehicle catches fire

Jul 5, 2018, 6:55 PM | Updated: 9:11 pm

CEDAR FORT, Utah – Two people suffered severe burns after the off-road vehicle they were driving burst into flames during a Fourth of July ride in Utah County.

Trever Atkinson, age 18, and Summer Hardwick, age 19, were both recovering from 2nd- and 3rd-degree burns after the off-road vehicle they were riding suddenly caught fire.

The South Jordan couple was riding west of Utah Lake, just south of Flat Top Mountain.

Trevor Atkinson, age 18, and Summer Hardwick, age 19, suffered significant burns after their off-road vehicle caught fire during an Independence Day ride.

“It was probably 15 minutes from when we left the truck to when it exploded,” Atkinson explained. “It blew up from out from under us, and the wind was going toward the cab of the razor, and the flames just came around us.”

Atkinson said he’s owned the Polaris RZR for about six months, and driven it for hundreds of miles without any problems. He said he recently had it repaired after a manufacturer recall regarding heat around the tailpipe.

I’m just extremely grateful to be alive. Extremely grateful that he’s alive. It was really an emotional day.”

Hardwick said the way her boyfriend reacted likely made a big difference in making sure things didn’t turn out worse.

“I heard a loud ‘pop,’ and I heard him screaming at me to get out of the Razor,” Hardwick said. “I was really grateful for him. He took a lot of the flames, trying to get me unbuckled.”


Atkinson didn’t realize his own injuries

With the vehicle still burning, Atkinson said he went to get help.

“I started running down the highway,” Atkinson said. “I probably ran 200 feet, just waving my arms, just trying to get someone to stop.”

Trevor Atkinson and Summer Hardwick said the Polaris RZR off-road vehicle exploded underneath them. (Photo courtesy Utah County Sheriff’s Office.)

All the while, he said he never thought to check on himself.

“Someone stopped and told me, ‘you need to sit down,'” Atkinson said. “I kind of looked down there and saw how burned I was.”

“I saw all of his skin that was burned,” Hardwick added. “It was pretty traumatizing.”

Atkinson said well over a dozen people stopped to help, including a nurse, who has also been by to check on them at the hospital. He said some people helped put out the flames before firefighters arrived.

Both said they were dumbfounded that the vehicle would apparently just explode. Atkinson said he intends to reach out to Polaris about the incident.

“I do feel grateful that we made it out alive,” Atkinson said. “But at the same time, it kind of makes me angry that it’s something we even had to worry about.”

“I’m just extremely grateful to be alive,” Hardwick said. “Extremely grateful that he’s alive. It was really an emotional day.”

Hardwick said she could go home within the next day or two. Atkinson suffered the most injuries, with burns along the left side of his body. He expected to be in the University Hospital Burn Unit for at least 21 days, likely longer.

Both families have set up a combined GoFundMe page to help pay for medical expenses.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

(KSL TV)...

Andrew Adams

Data shows significant uptick in gas prices over past month in Salt Lake area

Gas prices rose considerably over the past month in the Salt Lake area, according to data from industry watchers.

13 minutes ago

A UDOT snowplow clears the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Feb. 9. Up to 2 feet of snow or more is...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Rain, snow to impact many parts of Utah throughout Easter weekend

It might be spring, but winter weather remains in Utah's forecast for Easter weekend as the end of the traditional snowpack collection period nears.

1 hour ago

Man being taken on stretcher to an ambulance figures blurred...

Lauren Steinbrecher

West Jordan man trying ‘to be funny’ allegedly shot and killed best friend

Investigators believe a joke between friends turned into the shooting death of a West Jordan man. The fatal mistake is also turning into a message police hope every gun owner can hear.

12 hours ago

Matt Gephardt meeting with Denis Hawkins after a rental car company after they ignored his calls fo...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt helps Spanish Fork man clear up insurance claim for rental car damage

Get Gephardt clears up an international rental car insurance standstill.

12 hours ago

small housing units...

Debbie Worthen

Utah’s micro-shelter pilot program gets extension to help homeless

A micro-shelter pilot program will stay in place for at least six more months.

12 hours ago

A trench used for training a team of firefighters to be a part of Utah County's Special Response Te...

Shelby Lofton

Heavy Rescue school students respond to real-life emergency during trench collapse training

A team of firefighter students training to be on a Special Response Team rescued a man buried in a trench collapse the week they'd been studying trenches.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Couple suffers burns after off-road vehicle catches fire