Teen seriously hurt after falling from tractor during Battle Ground’s Harvest Days Parade

BATTLE GROUND — A 17-year-old girl was seriously injured Saturday morning after falling from a tractor trailer and getting swept under the moving vehicle.

The incident occurred just before 11 a.m. Saturday during the Harvest Days Parade in the 200 block of North Parkway Avenue, according to a news release the City of Battle Ground.

The teenager was participating in the parade when she fell from the trailer, which prompted onlookers to alert a Battle Ground Police Department officer who was nearby at a parade route blockade, according to the release. The officer provided medical aid to the girl until first responders from Clark County Fire District 3 and American Medical Response arrived minutes later.

The teenager, whose identity is not being released, was conscious and speaking at the scene before she was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, the City of Battle Ground said.

“I would like to commend the members of the public for jumping into action when they witnessed this tragic event,” Battle Ground Police Chief Mike Fort said in the release. “Thanks to their swift action, and that of our officer and emergency medical personnel, the patient was able to receive care immediately.”

The City of Battle Ground also credited the community for quickly clearing the parade route, as well as the Battle Ground Festivals Committee for rerouting the parade to allow first responders to reach the injured girl.

The Battle Ground Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit and Washington State Patrol are investigating the incident.