Allenstown Man Loses Control Of Snowmobile And Hits Tree Head-On

CANDIA, NH - New Hampshire Fish and Game was flagged down by an individual on a snowmobile who reported that there was a snowmobile crash on Sunday.

The people reporting the accident involved serious bodily injury and was adjacent to Tower Hill Pond in Candia. The rider led Conservation Officers to the scene of the crash, almost a mile and a half from Tower Hill Pond Road.

Conservation Officers say, Christopher Betts,42 of Allenstown, NH, appears to have lost control of his snowmobile while navigating a short turn. This caused his snowmobile to leave the traveled portion of the snowmobile trail, striking a tree head-on.

Betts was thrown from his snowmobile during the crash, causing serious and potentially life-threatening injuries.

Immediately following the collision involving Betts, another individual in the riding party identified as Joseph Gentile of Hampstead, observed the collision and jumped off his snowmobile to render aid to the victim. When Gentile jumped off his snowmobile it continued to travel off the traveled portion of the trail and sustained minor damage and he was not hurt. Gentile was not hurt and was able to Call 911 and render aid until NH Fish and Game personnel arrived on the scene.

Betts was transported from the trail to Tower Hill Road by an Auburn Fire and EMS Utility Vehicle to an awaiting Ambulance. He was transported by ambulance to Elliot Hospital in Manchester. A DHART helicopter landed near the scene of the incident but was not used to transport the victim.

Fish and Game personnel were assisted by members of the Candia Police Department, Candia Fire, and EMS, Auburn Fire and EMS, DHART Helicopter, and the Snow Slickers utilizing their Groomer to tow the damaged snowmobile to Tower Hill Pond Road.

Fish and Game reminds all riders to always wear the appropriate safety gear, to ride within their capabilities, and to be aware of the always-changing trail conditions as winter winds to a close.