A Soldotna man died in an all-terrain vehicle accident near Ninilchik Monday night.
Donald Burns Jr., 63, was found dead pinned underneath a Yamaha ATV around 9 p.m. on the Caribou Hills trail system, approximately six miles down Waterhole Trail, according to an Alaska State Troopers dispatch.
Troopers received the report from other trail users who found Burns deceased. Burns was riding alone and was not wearing a helmet, said trooper spokesperson Megan Peters.
Burns was trying to avoid some deep mud in the center of the trail by high-marking a muddy hill. Burns fell off the ATV and it slid on top of him, according to the report.
“It was a very muddy trail,” Peters said. “It appears the wheeler tipped and landed on top of him and the man was unable to self-rescue.”
Troopers believe the man didn’t appear to have head trauma, but could not tell what types of injuries Burns sustained, she said.
His body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Burns’ next of kin has been notified.
Reach Dan Balmer at daniel.balmer@peninsulaclarion.com
