Wayne County spokesman: 'Nothing we can do' regarding deaths at Busco Beach

The drowning death Sunday evening of a 46-year-old man marked the second time in nine days that someone died at the Busco Beach ATV Park outside Goldsboro.

On April 30, a 21-year-old Virginia man was killed when he was thrown backward off an ATV there.

Busco Beach has been the site of seven deaths linked to ATV use in the past 15 years, along with a half-dozen drownings since 2000.

Amber and Jimmy Pierce, who have owned the park since 2012, declined to comment Monday about the deaths, referring all questions to their attorney, who didn't respond to a request for comment about the safety regulations the park follows.

Busco Beach posts signs saying ATV riders are required to wear U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmets. Other signs warn visitors that they ride and swim at their own risk.

The park also hires off-duty sheriff's deputies on weekends and requires all guests 18 and older to sign liability waivers.

WRAL News emailed all Wayne County commissioners on Monday, asking whether they might consider taking action against the park. Board of Commissioners Chairman George Aycock responded that any statement would have to be approved by the county attorney.

"Unfortunately, ATV riding is inherently dangerous. It's a dangerous activity," county spokesman Joel Gillie said. "As long as people are following the rules, following the laws, there's nothing we can do."

Before last weekend, the last ATV death there occurred in 2017. At that time, the Pierces said that, since they took over, accidents had "decreased dramatically."

"We have a really good relationship with the owners of Busco Beach," Gillie said. "We have safety plans in place for our emergency responders and are always tweaking and evolving our emergency plans."