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Mr . BARNARD . So this was a year ago ? Mr . ABRAMS . Yes , sir .

Mr . BARNARD . How about moving the microphone closer to you , please ?

How long had you been operating an ATV at that time ? Mr . ABRAMS . I had been observing my friends ride for 2 years and riding one for 2 years . Mr . BARNARD . What was the model of yours ? Mr . ABRAMS . 200 Honda . Mr . BARNARD . A 200 ? I presume that is more powerful than the 110 ? Mr . ABRAMS . Yes , sir .

Mr . BARNARD . And were you doing anything novel or new in your operation that you had not done previous ?

Mr . ABRAMS . I had not gone up that hill before , but I had gone up many others extremely similar to it .

Mr . BARNARD . And what did you say the rate of climb was there ? Mr . ABRAMS . It was about a 60 - degree angle .

Mr . BARNARD . A 60 - degree angle . And you had gone up similar angles before ? Mr . ABRAMS . Somewhere around 55 degrees .

Mr . BARNARD . Had you ever attempted a higher grade than 60 degrees ?

Mr . ABRAMS . No , sir ; I was progressing upwards from about a 45 degree angle .

Mr . BARNARD . What did your manual say to you about approach ing an obstacle such as this ? Mr . ABRAMS . I am sorry , I can ' t remember .

Mr . BARNARD . In other words , you don ' t remember any instruc tions in the manual as to how you should approach a situation such as this ?

Mr . ABRAMS . Well , the riding position I was in was the one that was stated as being the best position for riding .

Mr . BARNARD . Did you have a manual that you used to become familiar with the ATV ?

Mr . ABRAMS . Yes , sir .

Mr . BARNARD . Were there any warnings in that manual as to the operation of it ?

Mr . ABRAMS . Yes , sir , there were , and I followed these warnings . Mr . BARNARD . Where were the warnings located ? Mr . ABRAMS . They were located directly below the section on going up hills in larger , more defined letters .

Mr . BARNARD . I am sure it is difficult for you to recall this , but this is I think information that we need to know . Was there any thing of an unusual nature on the front of the manual ? In other words , were there any warnings on the front of the manual ? Even before you got into the description , were there any warnings there that this vehicle could be unsafe ?

Mr . ABRAMS . No , sir ; in fact , the picture on the front of my manual shows one with the front wheel in the air .

Mr . BARNARD . You said you had observed your friends riding these vehicles for 2 years . What were the ages of your friends ?

Mr . ABRAMS . Anywhere from 13 to 15 .

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