This article was pulled from www.rhinorolloverandrecall.com it is a testament to just how frequent these accidents are happening. Please read it and pass it on to others. We will continue to pray for these victims and continue to spread the word on the dangerous and deadly Yamaha Rhino.


Victims named from weekend fatals By SILVIO J. PANTA, Staff Writer Monday, February 25, 2008 11:02 PM PST

The names of victims involved in two separate fatal crashes that occurred within hours of each other at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area were released Monday. Yucaipa resident Stephanie Ann Katin, 26, was killed Saturday after being partially ejected from a rented Yamaha Rhino all-terrain vehicle that slid sideways down a 30-foot sand dune. Katin sat in the right front passenger seat. The vehicle lost traction when Katin's 29-year-old husband, Paul, turned left and tried driving it down the dune after reaching its crest, California Highway Patrol Officer Gil Caldera said. The Yucaipa couple wore the stock lap- and shoulder seat belts that came with the vehicle during the 12:43 p.m. incident, Caldera said. Paul Katin suffered no injuries and the crash is still under investigation, Caldera said. Nearly an hour and a half later that same day a 14-year-old Downey boy was killed in a second crash. Richer Erl Masse was the unrestrained passenger of an ATV Rhino, Imperial County Deputy Coroner Henry Proo said, when the driver drove over a sand dune. The recreational vehicle landed on its front bumper and ejected Masse on impact, California Highway Patrol Officer Enrique Romero said. The Rhino's roll cage landed on top of Masse as the vehicle overturned, Romero said. The accident started when the driver's boot became lodged under the brake, causing the accelerator pedal to remain down, Highway Patrol Officer Wes Boerner said. The 16-year-old driver from Santa Ana approached the crest of a dune around 30 mph, Romero said. Masse suffered major head injuries that he later died from at Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley, Romero said. The 16-year-old motorist, whose name was not released, suffered pain to his left knee during the 2 p.m. crash. The teen wore his lap and shoulder harness seat belt, Romero said.

Here are a few exerts from some of the stories I have been told, we ask for prayer not only for our own loss but also for these other victims:



“I am so sorry about J.T., your story has brought tears to my eyes. I want to commend you on your mission to prevent this from happening to anyone else. Unfortunately, my family is going through a similar event. In November, my niece was killed on a Rhino. She had just turned 18. She was riding a friends Rhino at a slow speed and made a sharp turn, her head and neck were crushed by the rollbar...she died instantly (we pray). Our families lives will never be the same, because of this company."



“My grandson was killed Tuesday on a ATV. He was ten years old. Im sure you know how much I hurt right now. We dont blame anyone but at the same time it just should not have happened. We need some time but we will join your efforts soon to make people aware of the dangers of ATVs. Maybe I can put you in contact with my daughter. She has been amazing through all of this. Im sure you could be a help to her. “



“First and foremost I want to tell you how sorry I am that you lost your beautiful son. There is no pain in comparison to losing a child.
You are in my thoughts and prayers now and will be forever more.
I am glad that you made this website and that the word is spreading about Yamaha Rhinos.
My life was forever changed, I am now disfigured and I still face amputation for the rest of my life.
I had no clue what I was getting myself into the day I got in that Rhino.”




“As I sit hear with tears rolling down my face I could only imagine the feeling of losing a child. I am a Yamaha rhino owner with three little boys. I cant tell you how many times I had both my boys out for rides on the rhino and never thought about the rhino tipping over and what damage it could ever do. I feel horrible that I never considered their safety and their well being. I wondered why I received the recall and was offered doors installed free of charge. I pondered for a few days wondering if I should have them installed or not. Thinking I would never have this rhino roll over on me, thinking I’m a good driver and this would only happen to someone careless. Well I did put on doors after all and still knowing how dangerous these machines are I will have to look into what I can do to make this safer to ride. I would of never of bought this knowing how much grief these rhinos have caused. AS I look at my son sleeping next to me on the couch, I could never imagine not having him with me. I would go to the ends of the world for my little boy's safety and would protect them with every bit of my heart & soul. I admire what you have done and said and hope you find peace in knowing that you did affect me and my thinking. God bless you and little J.T.”

We all grieve so differently some find comfort in solitude; to others it’s a sense of community. Silence gives some of us a way to deal with our emotions while others need to verbally expel the pain. I’m not sure if there is a right way to grieve. I know that even when we find ourselves dealing with the exact same loss the differences in the experience can be astronomical. We cannot pull grief out of our pocket and try to compare it to someone else’s. The jagged and torn corners will not fit together no matter how we force them. Perhaps the greatest gift we can give someone’s grief is acceptance, choosing to see the beauty in the difference, holding it even though it is damp with endless tears and crimson stained with pain. Understanding the way we each fold and carry it differently, knowing its there when we choose not to show it and deeply respecting it when we do.


No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know that no one cares or understands. Aurthur H. Stainback

“Sorrows are our best educators. A person can see further through a tear than a telescope.” Lord Byron


I read this quote yesterday over coffee and I started thinking about what this sorrow has taught me. I have been trying to reach back and realize how it has changed my priorities and my relationships. I know that my vision has definitely expanded in a way that helps me see things I previously chose to ignore like how certain people I never knew or expected are now my greatest source of comfort and the people I depended on before for comfort have quietly disappeared. It has also changed what I choose to see in each day as well, no longer taking the small details of life for granted but actively cramming them into my memory knowing one day they will prove to be my most precious possession. However above all this I have found that the most valuable lesson I learned is about myself. I have discovered that I have a strength that drives me forward. I believe that this hidden strength lies within us all in a box marked “ IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES” Here’s hoping you never have to open it but it’s bursting at the seams if you do.

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007
http://www.ruthann1.com