Thirty-two year old Ryan Hamby of Great Bend passed away Saturday following an ATV crash late Friday night on the river dike southwest of Great Bend.

At about 9:40 a.m. Saturday, Barton County Sheriff’s officers responded to a routine ambulance assist at 5540 2nd St., Lot F, on the southwest side of Great Bend just outside the city limits. It was reported the subject, identified as Hamby, had been in an all-terrain vehicle accident the prior evening and was unconscious. A family member called for the ambulance.

On Sunday morning, BCSO began receiving reports the victim had passed away in a Wichita area hospital.

According to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir, ATV and recreational vehicle accidents are typically not investigated as motor vehicle accidents if they did not occur on a road or highway. When deputies became aware the accident resulted in a fatality, they initiated an investigation into the death.

In the course of that investigation, BCSO deputies and detectives were able to determine that Hamby was operating a 2000 White Yamaha ATV four-wheeler on the river dike just southwest of Great Bend near Patton Road. Investigation indicates at about 11:30 p.m. Friday, Hamby was eastbound on the river dike on a walking trail. 

According to Bellendir, it appears that for unknown reasons Hamby struck a metal barrier installed on the path. He was ejected from the ATV and struck the pavement. He was found by other citizens and transported to his residence on 2nd Street. A family member arrived Saturday morning and found Hamby unconscious. It was at this time the ambulance was called.

Hamby succumbed to his injuries during the night of Sept. 26 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Evidence indicates the fatality was accidental in nature and BCSO is awaiting further forensic evidence from the coroner’s office in Wichita.