COAL TOWNSHIP - The death of an ATV rider near the top of the Burnside Mountain Sunday afternoon has been ruled accidental.
Following an autopsy conducted Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley said John Nemeth, 49, of Gordon, died as a result of blunt force trauma to the thorax.
Nemeth was operating a four-wheeler on a dirt road in a wooded area near Route 125 Sunday afternoon. While Nemeth was negotiating a curve, the ATV left the road and traveled into the woods, flipping onto its side and ejecting Nemeth, police said.
Kelley reported the autopsy showed Nemeth also suffered a fracture to his spine and a torn aorta.
Coal Township Police Patrolman David Sage said Tuesday afternoon the investigation into the crash continues and that no further information will be released until the investigation is completed.