The photographer who was injured at the Cat Walk Saturday said the incident could have been “a lot more tragic.” 

UK Athletics Director of Photography Chet White was hit by a Polaris ATV driven by a Lexington police officer while photographing the Cat Walk before the UK vs. Missouri football game.

He said these events are crowded, with lots of pedestrians and children.

“I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that a large motor vehicle came through such a tight space at a high speed without any sirens or warning,” White said. “As a parent myself, my biggest fear is what if a child had darted under that rope for some reason.”

White did not see or hear the ATV coming. He was focused on his work with his back to the ATV, and the band was playing.

“I’ve never had to be concerned while working in that space where the Cat Walk occurs,” he said. “I thought I was in a safe space.”

White said that in general, people driving in vehicles need to slow down and be aware of pedestrians and those on bikes.

White said the officer who hit him was “very apologetic.”

“He even called me the following day to check up on me, which I greatly appreciated,” White said.

White sustained injuries to his head that required two staples. Judy Lowry of Lexington, who was standing right behind White when he was hit, said White had a tire print on one of the back legs of his khakis.

Lowry said White’s camera hit a 3-year-old in the head when it fell from his hand.

“I just want to say how sorry I am that my camera gear hit that little boy in the head after I was hit,” White said.

“That made me sad,” when he read about it, he said.

The officer’s name has not yet been released because the incident is under review by UK Police.