Yellowknife (Oct 29/03) - Police say seven teenagers are lucky to be alive after their car flipped while performing a stunt Friday night at the sandpits.

Seven teenagers crammed into this car Friday night before it rolled over during a stunt. - Andrew Raven/NNSL photo

"Their injuries could have been much more serious," said RCMP Sgt. Steve McVarnock.

Three of the teens were taken to Stanton Territorial Hospital with minor injuries and released a short time afterward.

Police have charged the driver, who is 16, with one count of impaired driving.

According to McVarnock, he was trying to show off for a group of friends when he lost control of the car --a black Dodge Neon sport edition-- during a turn.

The car rolled over onto its side, ripping off a review mirror and blowing out the driver's side windows.

McVarnock couldn't say for certain, but extensive damage to the roof and windshield suggests the car may have come to rest upside down.

According to some reports, the driver was racing another car when he lost control, but McVarnock wasn't sure if that was the case.

"Some witnesses are coming in today (Monday) to give statements. We should know more after that."

At least two of the teens weren't wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident, said McVarnock.

"The car is designed for five people. You just have to do the math."

The driver, who is the registered owner of the Neon, also had more passengers in his car than NWT law permits.

Police say his passengers were all minors.

But McVarnock said RCMP were not planning to lay additional charges.

"If the injuries had been more serious, then we would have considered it."

The accident has raised concerns about underage drinking and drug abuse at the sandpits.

Problems at the sandpits

In September, a teenage boy was seriously injured when he was struck by a drunk driver while walking home from the popular teen hangout. Police also seized drugs and alcohol during a series of summertime raids.

"We are aware kids go there and other places outside of town," said McVarnock.

"We send (officers) to the sandpits when time and resources permit," McVarnock said about previous events.

Ultimately, it's up to teenagers to regulate their own behaviour said McVarnock.

"I don't know that there's much we can do to stop them," he said.

"They need to realize that there are serious consequences to their actions.

"Not only can they hurt themselves and their friends, they can be held civilly and criminally responsible."