News 14 Carolina's Bryn Hough is in Gaston County with more on the tragic accident.
LOWELL, N.C. -- A tragic ATV accident claimed the life of a 7-year-old Gaston County girl Saturday and the whole thing may have been prevented. The family says the child and an adult were riding the ATV when a mechanical problem occurred.
Police say Scott Rollins was riding on the bike with his girlfriend’s daughter behind the George Poston Park soccer fields when the A-frame on the front of the bike broke sending the girl flying. It's not yet clear how she died.
"That's what he was doing yesterday. He was taking a little girl on a ride on a four-wheeler like she was wanting," said Mary Castro, who’s known Rollins for more than 20 years. "You never believe anything like this could happen. Unfortunately, it was just one of those tragic accidents."
Lowell police say a ball joint on the four-wheeler malfunctioned, causing the A-frame to break.
Castro says Rollins would never have intentionally hurt the girl.
“It's my understanding it was a tragic accident and he'll blame himself from now on for that," she said.
Lowell police say a ball joint on the four-wheeler malfunctioned, causing the A-frame to break. While it was a mechanical failure, Wayne Godfrey knows you can never be too careful on ATVs. His 8-year-old granddaughter just got one for Christmas.
"They need helmets, the pads, the whole nine yards, knee pads,” he said. “It's just like football, you've got to have your protection. If you don't you're going to get hurt."
It is illegal to ride ATVs on park property in North Carolina. They are only allowed on private property.
The case is still under investigation. It is not known if Rollins will face any charges.