Saturday, May 31, 2008

UPDATE: Two children, father die in Gem County trailer accident


UPDATE: Two children, father die in Gem County trailer accident

Saturday, May 17th, 2008
GEM COUNTY — An Emmett man and two daughters died in a freak traffic accident near Sweet today.

David Coburn, 38, and the two children suffered fatal injuries; the condition of a hospitalized third child is unknown.

Coburn's daughters were taken to hospitals for treatment after the crash, but Idaho State Police confirmed around 7 p.m. that Ellie Coburn, 4, and Kaitlyn Coburn, 8, had died.

Officers say the series of events leading to the accident began while Devin Morgan, 18, of Sweet was northbound on the Sweet-Ola Highway in a 1991 Ford F250 pickup. The irrigation pipe trailer he was towing became disconnected from the pickup and entered the southbound lanes of travel, investigators said.

Coburn, traveling southbound on the Sweet-Ola Highway in a 1997 Ford F350, struck the pipe trailer as it entered his lane.

Authorities said Coburn was unable to maintain control of his vehicle and left the roadway, coming to a rest in the rushing waters of Squaw Creek. Coburn was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neither Morgan, nor his minor passenger, was injured. Police said it is unknown if Coburn or his three children were wearing seat belts. There is no indication at that alcohol or drugs were a factor, ISP reported.

The Idaho State Police and Gem County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the crash around 11:30 a.m. It occurred about one mile north of State Highway 52 on the Sweet-Ola Highway.

The crash is under investigation by Idaho State Police troopers with assistance from the Gem County Sheriff’s Office.

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