PEI

ATV accident claims life of 14-year-old boy in western P.E.I.

A 14-year-old boy died in an ATV accident in the West Prince community of Greenmount on Monday, say RCMP in a news release.

Austin Keough's aunt says he was an easy-going boy who had just started his first job

Austin Keough loved hockey and played for Tignish, says his aunt Jennifer Rozell. (Love of Life Hockey)

A 14-year-old boy died in an ATV accident in the West Prince community of Greenmount on Monday, RCMP have confirmed in a news release.

His aunt told CBC News that the boy was Austin Keough, a Grade 9 student at M.E. Callaghan Intermediate School in Profits Corner.

Jennifer Rozell said her nephew was an easy-going, happy boy who loved playing hockey and "had the most beautiful smile, and a twinkle in his eye."

Rozell and her husband bought Harbourside Takeout in Northport last month, and hired Austin and his older brother Carter to work there.

A bouquet of roses has been placed at the side of the road where Austin Keough died while riding an ATV Monday. (Steve Bruce/CBC)

"Austin was just so kind, and so great with the public," she said. "He loved the job. It was his first job, so he was so excited about it."

I don't think there's a single dry eye in West Prince. It's a tragedy, a true loss of a very good boy.- Jennifer Rozell

She added that the ATV her nephew was riding when the accident happened had been a family Christmas gift. 

"I don't think there's a single dry eye in West Prince," Rozell said. "It's a tragedy, a true loss of a very good boy."

The teen's school is offering counselling services for students on a drop-in basis this week, parents were told in a note. 

Austin Keough was a Grade 9 student at M.E. Callaghan Intermediate in Profits Corner, P.E.I. (Submitted by Jennifer Rozell)

"We care about all of our students and encourage everyone to come to school so that we can be together and support one another," it said.

The ATV turned over on Fitzpatrick Road, which is a dirt road, and the boy died at the scene of his injuries, police said.

RCMP are continuing to investigate the accident.

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