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IGLULIK - An Iglulik man died Aug. 9 after the ATV he was driving struck a power pole.

At about 3:20 p.m., a homeowner saw the man driving at a high speed on an ATV lose control, leave the roadway and hit a power pole, causing the vehicle and its driver to roll.

When RCMP Cpl. James McLaren arrived at the scene of the accident, the man was still alive. Police and health centre staff transported him to the health centre where he was later pronounced dead.

"He was still upright and he was (slumped) over the handlebars," said McLaren, adding that the driver wasn't wearing a helmet - such a common behaviour in the community that there is a full-time bylaw officer devoted to ticketing drivers for this offence.

"From our investigation at this time, speed was definitely a factor and not wearing a helmet definitely aggravated any injuries that happened," he said. "I can't stress enough how important it is for people to ride with a helmet."

The RCMP has not released the man's name as the accident is still under investigation.

Iglulik's senior administrative officer Brian Fleming estimates six people have died in the community since June.

While most have been natural deaths, the series of funerals has taken their toll on the community.

"Because they're small communities up North, it does affect everybody," said Fleming. "If there's on average one funeral per week, it tends to make for a solemn mood."