A Gantt man was seriously injured Saturday in a 4-wheeler accident.

Bruce Lavon King, 38, was “just a short distance from home” when the accident occurred shortly after 2 p.m., Gantt Police Department spokesman Wesley Snodgrass said.

“Mr. King was traveling north on Victoria Street in Gantt when he attempted to make a right turn (onto Tori Street) and lost control of the ATV,” Snodgrass said. “It then rolled onto Mr. King and he suffered injuries.”

Snodgrass said neither alcohol nor drugs were involved in the accident; however he did say King was not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred, which “may have contributed to his injuries.”

“As people know, most accidents occur within two miles of the home,” Snodgrass said. “Mr. King wasn’t traveling at great speeds, but ATVs are dangerous and he wasn’t wearing a helmet.”

King was transported to Andalusia Regional Hospital and was released Sunday. The Covington County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the accident.

According to www.ATVSafety.org, riders should always:

Wear protective gear when riding.

Keep feet on the footrests while riding to help prevent injury.

Close the throttle while shifting to prevent the front wheels from lifting.

Move your body weight forward and to the inside of a turn, and turn the handlebars while looking in the direction of a turn.

If an ATV starts to tip while turning, lean your body farther into the turn while gradually reducing the throttle and making the turn wider, if possible.