01-07-2009, 12:10 PM
CONCORD, N.H. -- A snowmobile collision occurred on Sunday, January 4, 2009, on a connector trail between Fryeburg, Maine, and the Trail 19 system in Conway, N.H. Yehojua Minski, age 19, one of a group of three riders visiting from Brooklyn, New York, lost control of his rental Arctic Cat snowmobile and struck a tree, injuring his leg. New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers and personnel from the North Conway Fire Department responded to the scene just before noon. The North Conway Fire Department transported Minski from the scene on a rescue snowmobile, and a North Conway Ambulance then took him to the hospital in North Conway.
"While excessive speed is believed to be the primary cause for the accident, the trails in the area are sparsely snow-covered and icy in spots," said Fish and Game Conservation Officer Brian Abrams. Inexperience was also a factor -- Minski reportedly had ridden on a snowmobile only a few times before, and he did not have his helmet properly secured at the time of the accident. "This young man was lucky to avoid further potentially serious or fatal injury," said Abrams. "Even seasoned snowmobile enthusiasts are urged to use caution and be aware of local conditions and their own limitations."
The incident was one of numerous minor snowmobile crashes that have occurred recently around the state, according to Major Tim Acerno, coordinator of Fish and Game's Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle (OHRV) Program. "We haven't had the consistent winter weather needed for optimal trail conditions," said Acerno. He explained that while the Granite State has already seen a lot of snow this winter, alternating cold temperatures and thaws, plus the ice storm and rains have created spring-like conditions in parts of the state. "Even Pittsburg has open stretches of water in places. Trails might look like they are snow-covered, but they aren't necessarily safe. The snowmobile clubs are doing a great job keeping the trails up under these varied conditions," said Acerno. "People have to do their part by taking responsibility for their riding."
Acerno strongly recommends checking trail conditions before you head out to snowmobile, especially if you're planning to ride in an unfamiliar area. "Trail conditions are forever changing, so make sure that you operate your snowmobile at a speed that is reasonable for the existing conditions," he says.
The N.H. Bureau of Trails website at http://www.nhtrails.org lists trail conditions. You can also call the N.H. Snowmobile Association hotline for a trail report -- updated twice a week -- at (603) 740-5050 or visit their website at http://www.nhsa.com.
Free snowmobile safety classes are available around New Hampshire; a list is available at http://www.Ride.NH.gov/OHRV/ohrv.htm. These courses will only be offered for a few more weeks, so sign up soon if you want to take one this season.
"While excessive speed is believed to be the primary cause for the accident, the trails in the area are sparsely snow-covered and icy in spots," said Fish and Game Conservation Officer Brian Abrams. Inexperience was also a factor -- Minski reportedly had ridden on a snowmobile only a few times before, and he did not have his helmet properly secured at the time of the accident. "This young man was lucky to avoid further potentially serious or fatal injury," said Abrams. "Even seasoned snowmobile enthusiasts are urged to use caution and be aware of local conditions and their own limitations."
The incident was one of numerous minor snowmobile crashes that have occurred recently around the state, according to Major Tim Acerno, coordinator of Fish and Game's Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle (OHRV) Program. "We haven't had the consistent winter weather needed for optimal trail conditions," said Acerno. He explained that while the Granite State has already seen a lot of snow this winter, alternating cold temperatures and thaws, plus the ice storm and rains have created spring-like conditions in parts of the state. "Even Pittsburg has open stretches of water in places. Trails might look like they are snow-covered, but they aren't necessarily safe. The snowmobile clubs are doing a great job keeping the trails up under these varied conditions," said Acerno. "People have to do their part by taking responsibility for their riding."
Acerno strongly recommends checking trail conditions before you head out to snowmobile, especially if you're planning to ride in an unfamiliar area. "Trail conditions are forever changing, so make sure that you operate your snowmobile at a speed that is reasonable for the existing conditions," he says.
The N.H. Bureau of Trails website at http://www.nhtrails.org lists trail conditions. You can also call the N.H. Snowmobile Association hotline for a trail report -- updated twice a week -- at (603) 740-5050 or visit their website at http://www.nhsa.com.
Free snowmobile safety classes are available around New Hampshire; a list is available at http://www.Ride.NH.gov/OHRV/ohrv.htm. These courses will only be offered for a few more weeks, so sign up soon if you want to take one this season.