Several Incidents Involving Snowmobiles And Recreational Vehicles

CONCORD,NH - NH Fish and Game responded to a snowmobile accident Monday in Rumney at Route 25 and Sandhill Road.

Sharon Nelson, 59 of Dorchester, NH had been riding a snowmobile behind a friend when she attempted to cross Route 25 according to Fish and Game Office Gregory Jellison. She misjudged the trail and drove off the end of a large culvert, landing on an ice-covered brook according to Jellison.

Nelson suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Speare Memorial Hospital by Plymouth Ambulance.

Fish and Game responded to several incidents of the weekend involving snowmobiles, ATV’s and UTV’s.

On Saturday afternoon New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers were notified of a single snowmobile crash involving a male operator on Lower Suncook Lake in Barnstead.

Michael Flynn, 63, of Melrose, Massachusetts was operating a snowmobile across Lower Suncook Lake when he struck a pressure ridge causing him to be thrown from his machine. Flynn sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash.

Flynn was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, which prevented more serious injury from occurring. It appears as though dangerous riding conditions were the leading cause of the crash.

Several recreational vehicles were involved in incidents where they went through the ice or entered open water.

On Saturday at approximately 1:10 p.m. 911 received a call for a snowmobile through the ice in the vicinity of Black Island on Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonborough. Michael Long, 22 years old, from Moultonborough, was operating a snowmobile with his mother Heather Long as a passenger. They encountered a pressure ridge and attempted to go around it when the snowmobile unexpectedly went through the ice. They were able to self-rescue and remove themselves from the water onto the ice. They walked to the shore and were assisted by first responders.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday two ATVs went through the ice on Big Squam Lake in Center Harbor. David Reynolds 38 years old and Brandon Gilcreast 40 years, both from Hudson NH were visiting friends on Squam Lake in Center Harbor. They were returning back to their vehicle in the dark and began following the shoreline when they suddenly went through the ice while operating their ATV’s. They were able to self-rescue and walked back to their vehicle.

At approximately 7:44 p.m. Saturday 911 received a call for a snowmobile through the ice in Meredith Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee. Eric Stevenson, 45 years old from Meredith NH was operating his snowmobile with his 5-year-old son Eivin as a passenger. He had stopped on the ice waiting for his wife to catch up on her snowmobile when his snowmobile suddenly went through the ice. Eric was able to quickly remove his son and himself from the water and safely make it back to shore.

On Saturday DHART medical helicopter was dispatched to Brookline, NH for a snowmobiler who was seriously injured.

New Hampshire Fish and Game remind outdoor recreational users that the waterbodies remain unsafe in many areas despite the recent cold spell. Even though Lake Winnipesaukee Squam Lake and other lakes and ponds are frozen over the ice thickness varies greatly.

Frequent checking of ice thickness is essential and the use of safety equipment is encouraged, including Personal Flotation Devices, ice picks, and throw ropes.