FORT DODGE — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Park Bureau is investigating a death at an off-highway vehicle (OHV) park in north central Iowa.
The Webster County Sheriff’s office received a 911 call about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, reporting an unresponsive male at the Gypsum City OHV Park near the intersection of trails 220 and 222.
Rescue crews responded and found an unconscious male pinned under an ATV located in a small ravine. Authorities believe the male lost control of the ATV, left the trail and ended up in the small ravine.
The victim has been identified as Joseph Edward Rouse, 55, of Boone. Rouse was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy will take place at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny to determine the exact cause of death. Rouse was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Another man was reportedly riding with Rouse when the accident happened, but he was unable to lift the machine off Rouse.
The Webster County Sheriff’s office, UnityPoint Health–Trinity Regional Medical Center paramedics, Webster County Conservation, DNR, Otho Volunteer Fire Department, Fort Dodge Fire Department and the Webster County medical examiner responded to the incident.
There are about 800 acres and 60 miles of trails in the Gypsum City OHV Park, which opened in 2005, according to the DNR.
