SWANZEY — Two teenagers were seriously hurt in an all-terrain vehicle accident on Taylor Hill Road in Swanzey on Saturday, New Hampshire Fish and Game officers reported.

The ATV was operated by a 14-year-old and carried a passenger of the same age. Both were taken to Cheshire Medical Center for treatment.

It was the second accident during the month of June in which young people apparently operating an ATV in violation of state law were involved in an accident in which a driver and operator were both seriously hurt.

Fish and Game officer Jonathan Delisle said the accident happened at about 6:20 p.m. Saturday, when the operator of the machine hit a post and lost control on a downhill section of Taylor Hill Road in Swanzey.

Speed and inexperience were factors in the accident, Delisle said.

“They didn't collide with anyone else, their speed led them to get into a crash,” he said.

Both the driver and the passenger were wearing helmets. Their injuries are not life-threatening.

In Danville earlier in June, an 11-year-old Danville girl who was a passenger on an ATV driven by a 15-year-old Manchester girl hit a tree. In that accident, the adult owner of the vehicle faced a possible summons for allowing the use of the unregistered vehicle by a minor who had not taken the safety course.

Investigators said driving too fast and lack of experience were factors in that accident as well.

It is illegal to operate an ATV on a public road in the state except where it is specifically posted as permitted. Most of the roads on which ATV use is allowed are in the North Country.

ATV drivers under 18 must have either a driver's license or have taken an approved OHRA operators course offered by the state Department of Fish and Game.

The safety course is offered free of charge to youngsters 12 and over.

Delisle said the course is especially valuable to youngsters who may think they know more than they actually do about using the machines.

“The course goes over safe operation, where you can ride, Fish and Game laws on riding, wearing helmets, and different trails,” Delisle said.

The courses are taught by experienced volunteers and parents are encouraged to attend with their children, Delisle said the course addresses the major cause of ATV accidents involving young people.

“It's lack of experience and they don't really know enough about the machine,” he said. “It's extremely valuable to take the course if you don't know anything about ATVs.”