An ATV accident in Silver Lake injured three area youths, including a 10-year-old who sustained internal injuries.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the accident that occurred in Wabash County at 4:14 p.m. Saturday.

Blake Tipton, 15, of Silver Lake, was operating a 2005 Polaris Ranger 500 ATV in the area of 7991 W. 1400 N. when the ATV left the road and rolled injuring him and his two passengers, Taylor Biltz, 10, of Rochester, and her brother, Dyson Biltz, 15.

According to investigating officer Cpl. Ashlee Jackson of the IDNR Law Enforcement Division, Tipton was operating the ATV westbound on CR 1400 North from CR 750 West when he attempted to exit the roadway on what he thought was a field access road. However, he struck the ditch at approximately 35 mph causing the ATV to roll over and slide into a freshly cut soybean field.

Taylor Biltz was airlifted by Samaritan helicopter with unknown internal injuries. Dyson Blitz was taken to Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester for evaluation and the extent of his injuries are currently unknown. Tipton suffered minor abrasions and did not require medical treatment.

The ATV is considered totaled as a result of the extensive damage it sustained from the accident.

The investigation revealed that the ATV was equipped with seatbelts, however, they were not used. None of the victims were wearing a helmet or protective gear. Operating ATVs on the road in Wabash County is unlawful except if being utilized in the active pursuit of farming practices.

Indiana conservation officers say the vast majority of ATVs are not meant to be operated by persons under the age of 16 and want to remind ATV owners to supply helmets to all occupants as well as other safety gear that may be needed.

An online ATV safety course can be found at www.offroad-ed.com/in/index.htm and should be supplemented by supervised operating instruction for beginners before they are allowed to operate any ATV.

Other agencies assisting at the scene were Samaritan Air Ambulance, Henry Township Fire, Fulton County EMS and Akron PD.