Statewide snowfall brings ...

Jonas Pilot · 01-20-2011, 04:02 PM

... FLURRY OF SNOWMOBILE ACCIDENTS

CONCORD, N.H. – With abundant snow creating ideal conditions for outdoor recreation in the Granite State this winter, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reminds snowmobile operators to ride safely and responsibly. Several accidents this season have already resulted in several injuries and one death.

"Thousands of snowmobile enthusiasts are riding safely this winter, but these accidents are an important reminder to review the principles of safe riding and check trail conditions before you head out, make sure you know your machine and its limitations, and wear proper gear while riding," said Capt. John Wimsatt, who coordinates snowmobile safety education and enforcement for N.H. Fish and Game.

Snowmobile incidents in New Hampshire this winter have included the following:

* On January 15, 2011, a Massachusetts woman was injured in a snowmobile crash on a trail in Dix’s Grant, N.H. Denise Rogers, 39, of Bedford, Mass., was operating her snowmobile about 2:30 p.m., when she fell from her machine, sustaining a serious leg injury. She was transported to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook and then to Dartmouth Medical Center, according to Fish and Game Conservation Officer Geoffrey Younglove.

* An Auburn, N.H., teenager was injured in a snowmobile crash in Pittsburg, N.H. on January 15, 2011. The 13-year-old rider was operating the snow machine near Back Lake Road in Pittsburg, N.H. at about 11:00 a.m. He was attempting to negotiate a corner when he lost control, leaving the trail and striking a tree. He was transported to the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to CO Geoffrey Younglove.

* A Vermont woman was injured in a Pittsburg, N.H., snowmobile incident on January 8, 2011. Bonnie Day, age 57, of Lowell, Vermont, was hurt after falling from her snowmobile. Pittsburg Fire and Rescue, 45th Parallel EMS personnel and Fish and Game Conservation Officer Chris Egan responded to the scene and found Day lying on her back in the snow on a fairly steep embankment. After being assessed by EMS, she was placed on a backboard and loaded onto a litter, which was then pulled by ropes a short distance to an awaiting ambulance. Day was transported to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities concluded that she had lost her balance and fallen off the machine while attempting to ascend the embankment. Neither alcohol nor speed were factors, and Day was wearing a helmet and appropriate outdoor clothing. The snowmobile, which had a total of 3 miles on it, was not damaged.

* On January 7, 2011, a Massachusetts man was injured in a snowmobile collision on Back Lake in Pittsburg, N.H., at about 11:15 a.m. Paul Jacobson, 55, of Millis, Mass., suffered a laceration to his head after being ejected from his snowmobile when it was struck from behind by another machine, operated by Anthony Addonizio, 38, of Revere, Mass. Addonizio was also ejected from his snowmobile, but was uninjured. The two had been riding down the lake in a northerly direction, when Jacobson slowed down and began to turn his machine around. Addonizio locked up the brakes on his snowmobile and skidded into the snowmobile operated by Jacobson. The two men were members of the same riding party, staying at a rented house on the lake. Pittsburg Fire and Rescue, and 45th Parallel Ambulance personnel treated Jacobson at the scene, and Pittsburg Police Chief Richard Lapoint assisted Fish and Game with the investigation. Jacobson was taken by ambulance to Upper Connecticut Valley
Hospital, where he was treated and released. Both men were wearing helmets, and alcohol was not a factor in the crash. Addonizio was cited at the scene for failing to avoid collision. New Hampshire law states that, “No person shall operate a snowmobile at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions and without regard for actual and potential hazards.” The law goes on to state, “In all cases, speed shall be controlled so that the operator will be able to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or object.”

* Earlier this winter, on January 4, 2011, a Nashua woman was injured in a snowmobile crash in Dixville, N.H. Celia M. Lingley, age 48, was attempting to navigate icy trails when she lost control of her snowmobile, throwing her from the machine. She was taken to the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital and then transported to Central Maine Medical Center by Maine MED, where she was later released. It appeared that icy trail conditions contributed to the crash.

* An Acton, Maine, man was killed in a snowmobile accident in Wakefield, N.H., on December 29, 2010. Jim Daigneau, age 48, had been riding in circles on a private lane near a friend's house when he lost control of the snow machine and rolled it over. He was thrown onto nearby rocks, sustaining traumatic upper body injuries. He was not wearing a helmet. Officials pronounced him dead at the scene of the accident.

For information on safe and responsible snowmobile riding, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/OHRV...le_safety.html.

VitaBene · 01-20-2011, 05:44 PM

Of note is the fact that the only fatality was not wearing a helmet.

SIKSUKR · 01-21-2011, 09:32 AM

The other "of note" was the machine with a whole 3 miles on it.

HomeWood · 01-23-2011, 09:30 AM

Doing donuts on the street is not wise and it's also not wise to ride a sled without a helmet.

I feel bad for the man and his family, but so many accidents are due to the rider being careless, exceeding their riding capabilities (lack of experience), riding in unfamiliar areas and ofcourse alcohol/drug use.

It's fun to zip across the lake and I do it, but on the trails I prefer to take it easy and enjoy the scenery. I also enjoy getting back home in one piece.

Sleds these days are extremely powerful and launch like a rocket. They are not like the old single cylinder 20hp sleds of the 1970's.

Ride carefully, ride sober, wear a helmet and STAY ON THE TRAIL !!!

I'm looking forward to getting up there in 14 days.... but who's counting??

TOAD · 01-24-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeWood

Doing donuts on the street is not wise and it's also not wise to ride a sled without a helmet.

.........but so many accidents are due to the rider being careless, exceeding their riding capabilities (lack of experience), riding in unfamiliar areas and ofcourse alcohol/drug use.

Ride carefully, ride sober, wear a helmet and STAY ON THE TRAIL !!!

You can't fix stupid.

Most times Darwin's theory will win out.

01-20-2011, 04:02 PM	#1
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	Statewide snowfall brings ... ... FLURRY OF SNOWMOBILE ACCIDENTS CONCORD, N.H. – With abundant snow creating ideal conditions for outdoor recreation in the Granite State this winter, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reminds snowmobile operators to ride safely and responsibly. Several accidents this season have already resulted in several injuries and one death. "Thousands of snowmobile enthusiasts are riding safely this winter, but these accidents are an important reminder to review the principles of safe riding and check trail conditions before you head out, make sure you know your machine and its limitations, and wear proper gear while riding," said Capt. John Wimsatt, who coordinates snowmobile safety education and enforcement for N.H. Fish and Game. Snowmobile incidents in New Hampshire this winter have included the following: * On January 15, 2011, a Massachusetts woman was injured in a snowmobile crash on a trail in Dix’s Grant, N.H. Denise Rogers, 39, of Bedford, Mass., was operating her snowmobile about 2:30 p.m., when she fell from her machine, sustaining a serious leg injury. She was transported to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook and then to Dartmouth Medical Center, according to Fish and Game Conservation Officer Geoffrey Younglove. * An Auburn, N.H., teenager was injured in a snowmobile crash in Pittsburg, N.H. on January 15, 2011. The 13-year-old rider was operating the snow machine near Back Lake Road in Pittsburg, N.H. at about 11:00 a.m. He was attempting to negotiate a corner when he lost control, leaving the trail and striking a tree. He was transported to the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to CO Geoffrey Younglove. * A Vermont woman was injured in a Pittsburg, N.H., snowmobile incident on January 8, 2011. Bonnie Day, age 57, of Lowell, Vermont, was hurt after falling from her snowmobile. Pittsburg Fire and Rescue, 45th Parallel EMS personnel and Fish and Game Conservation Officer Chris Egan responded to the scene and found Day lying on her back in the snow on a fairly steep embankment. After being assessed by EMS, she was placed on a backboard and loaded onto a litter, which was then pulled by ropes a short distance to an awaiting ambulance. Day was transported to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities concluded that she had lost her balance and fallen off the machine while attempting to ascend the embankment. Neither alcohol nor speed were factors, and Day was wearing a helmet and appropriate outdoor clothing. The snowmobile, which had a total of 3 miles on it, was not damaged. * On January 7, 2011, a Massachusetts man was injured in a snowmobile collision on Back Lake in Pittsburg, N.H., at about 11:15 a.m. Paul Jacobson, 55, of Millis, Mass., suffered a laceration to his head after being ejected from his snowmobile when it was struck from behind by another machine, operated by Anthony Addonizio, 38, of Revere, Mass. Addonizio was also ejected from his snowmobile, but was uninjured. The two had been riding down the lake in a northerly direction, when Jacobson slowed down and began to turn his machine around. Addonizio locked up the brakes on his snowmobile and skidded into the snowmobile operated by Jacobson. The two men were members of the same riding party, staying at a rented house on the lake. Pittsburg Fire and Rescue, and 45th Parallel Ambulance personnel treated Jacobson at the scene, and Pittsburg Police Chief Richard Lapoint assisted Fish and Game with the investigation. Jacobson was taken by ambulance to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, where he was treated and released. Both men were wearing helmets, and alcohol was not a factor in the crash. Addonizio was cited at the scene for failing to avoid collision. New Hampshire law states that, “No person shall operate a snowmobile at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions and without regard for actual and potential hazards.” The law goes on to state, “In all cases, speed shall be controlled so that the operator will be able to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or object.” * Earlier this winter, on January 4, 2011, a Nashua woman was injured in a snowmobile crash in Dixville, N.H. Celia M. Lingley, age 48, was attempting to navigate icy trails when she lost control of her snowmobile, throwing her from the machine. She was taken to the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital and then transported to Central Maine Medical Center by Maine MED, where she was later released. It appeared that icy trail conditions contributed to the crash. * An Acton, Maine, man was killed in a snowmobile accident in Wakefield, N.H., on December 29, 2010. Jim Daigneau, age 48, had been riding in circles on a private lane near a friend's house when he lost control of the snow machine and rolled it over. He was thrown onto nearby rocks, sustaining traumatic upper body injuries. He was not wearing a helmet. Officials pronounced him dead at the scene of the accident. For information on safe and responsible snowmobile riding, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/OHRV...le_safety.html.

01-21-2011, 09:32 AM	#3
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	The other "of note" was the machine with a whole 3 miles on it. __________________ SIKSUKR

01-20-2011, 05:44 PM	#2
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,532 Thanks: 1,574 Thanked 1,608 Times in 823 Posts	Of note is the fact that the only fatality was not wearing a helmet.

The Following User Says Thank You to VitaBene For This Useful Post:
hazelnut (01-20-2011)

01-23-2011, 09:30 AM	#4
HomeWood Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Clayton,NC / Sanbornton,NH Posts: 610 Thanks: 125 Thanked 136 Times in 74 Posts	Doing donuts on the street is not wise and it's also not wise to ride a sled without a helmet. I feel bad for the man and his family, but so many accidents are due to the rider being careless, exceeding their riding capabilities (lack of experience), riding in unfamiliar areas and ofcourse alcohol/drug use. It's fun to zip across the lake and I do it, but on the trails I prefer to take it easy and enjoy the scenery. I also enjoy getting back home in one piece. Sleds these days are extremely powerful and launch like a rocket. They are not like the old single cylinder 20hp sleds of the 1970's. Ride carefully, ride sober, wear a helmet and STAY ON THE TRAIL !!! I'm looking forward to getting up there in 14 days.... but who's counting??