Fatal weekend in northeast Ont. sparks safety warnings

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Snowmobile Safety Week proceeded by tragedy in northern Ont.

OPP patrols trails for Snowmobile Safety Week

Snowmobile Safety Week has begun tragically in northeastern Ontario, with two separate fatalities reported from over the weekend.

Both incidents occurred on Saturday afternoon.

At 2 p.m., OPP responded to a single-vehicle crash in Kearney, where the driver collided with a tree. A 51-year-old Whitby man was pronounced dead at the scene.

About 30 minutes later in Kapuskasing, a 67-year-old Ingersoll man died in a single snowmobile crash near the intersection of Stephens Road and Swanson Road.

OPP motorized snow vehicle coordinator Sgt. Dan Hunter told CTV News that there have been nine fatalities involving snowmobiles in the North East Region this year.

“Eight of the nine were men and one was female,” he said.

“Four out of nine, which is the largest chunk of the age group, were between 45 and 54 years of age.”

Hunter said accidents frequently occur around lunchtime to mid-afternoon.

While the number of deaths has decreased compared to years prior, Hunter said a number of factors are recurring.

“Pertaining to snowmobiles, quite often it’s alcohol or drug and speed,” he said.

“Loss of control, whether you leave the trail because you’re going too fast to navigate through a curve, or if you’re going too fast and you don’t see a pressure crack in a lake, on the ice where you’ve hit a stomp or something like that.”

OPP also advised that riders should check the equipment and the condition of their snowmobile before venturing out.

“Make sure your helmet is the way that you would like it to be. Make sure it’s latching properly or connecting properly at the strap, and that your sleds in good condition and isn’t going to leave you at the side of the trail somewhere,” said Hunter.

Ryan Eickmeier, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs CEO, said, while most riders are respectful, trespassing remains an annual concern.

“Our trails are groomed. Our trails are tended to by our volunteers across the province,” he said.

“There’s a reason why that trail doesn’t exist there. There could be farm equipment. There could be, you know, pieces of timber.”

Eickmeier said the snow and cold temperatures has led to a prominent snowmobile season overall so far.

“We’re sitting with over 28,000 km of trail available as of today. That is a massive amount of riding opportunities for people all across Ontario,” he said.

“Permit sales are extremely strong, which is really helpful because that permit revenue that we generate is the money that directly goes to support our volunteer clubs, our grooming operations and all the things that we need to put in place in order to have a great season.”

With family day weekend fast approaching, Hunter said OPP are expecting a surge of riders on the trails.

Officials said they are urging everyone to be mindful of the extra traffic and ride sober, to ensure a safe and enjoyable season.

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