Soldotna Church Mourns Boy Killed at Fair
Posted by admin on August 27, 2009
The Peninsula Grace Brethren Church in Soldotna, Alaska (Keith Randall, pastor) is mourning a young parishioner killed in a freak accident. Here is a portion of the story from the Homer News. To read the entire article, click here.
Boy killed in accident at fair
By McKibben Jackinsky
Nine-year-old Mathias “Matti” Nikola Martin of Soldotna died as the result of injuries sustained in an accident at the Ninilchik Fairgrounds at about 9 a.m. Friday morning.
The tragedy struck as a growing number of participants and vendors were preparing for Friday morning’s opening of the Kenai Peninsula State Fair. Martin had tied a rope around his waist and was attempting to lead the family milk cow when the cow bolted. He became entangled in the rope and was trampled by the animal.
Martin was the son of Blair and Ronna Martin of Soldotna. His grandparents are Carrol and JoAnne Martin, also of Soldotna, and John and Delores Lindeman of Ninilchik. The families are well known for their long-standing involvement with the fair, peninsula rodeo events and 4H.
Blair Martin was one of the first on the scene, helping subdue the cow and cut the rope so CPR could be given to his son.
Numerous 911 calls were immediately placed as those on the fairgrounds rushed to offer assistance, according to Fair Manager Lara McGinnis. Ninilchik Emergency Services responded, as did LifeMed Alaska, who dispatched an air ambulance from Soldotna to Ninilchik and flew Martin to Providence Hospital.
The injuries Martin sustained were such that his death probably occurred within seconds of being drug, Blair Martin told the Homer News Saturday.
“All our efforts, in hindsight, were futile,” he said, adding that the family has given permission for Martin’s heart valves and corneas to be harvested.
As news of Martin’s death spread, a somber atmosphere settled over the fair. Organizers, as well as fairgoers, drew together in a show of support for the family.
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