13°c Partly cloudy
10°c Rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Sledder given grim mission after death on snomo trail
JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES Enlarge Image
FILE - Snowmobiles on the trail.
Ted Thomas has been hailed by snowmobilers for his impeccable grooming of the snow-starved trails in the forest near Belair north of Grand Marais.
On Sunday, the senior sledder travelled the trail on a grim mission after a 34-year-old solo snowmobiler died just after midnight.
Related Items
"The trail is pretty heavily used on weekends," said Thomas, a member of the North Star Hill Climbers snowmobile club and its trail groomer.
"We heard of an accident and I went just to check it out for the club's interest," said Thomas.
The snow machine appears to have hit a tree and the rider died, he said after watching the snowmobile being removed from the scene.
The fatal accident happened on a well-marked, straight section of trail through the forest. It wasn't on a curve or hill or at an intersection, Thomas said. Thomas didn't know the deceased and said he was not a club member.
RCMP said the deceased is from Grand Marais, not far from Belair where he died, but his name was not being released. There are still next of kin to be notified, RCMP Sgt. Line Karpish said Sunday. When they are, it will be up to his direct family to decide whether or not his name is released, she said.
The man was wearing a helmet, riding alone, and no one saw the accident, she said.
He was found by other riders near midnight who called for help. Neither they nor paramedics, police, and volunteers from the local fire department were able to save the snowmobiler who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Karpish said RCMP haven't established a timeline yet from when he crashed until when he was found.
"We don't have all the answers yet," said Karpish.
"Our members were in the bush most of the night -- there is still a lot of work to do," she said.
Speed and alcohol have not been ruled out as contributing factors, police said.
An autopsy will be performed, said Karpish. An RCMP traffic reconstructionist attended the scene, and a mechanical inspection of the snowmobile will be conducted, Karpish said.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 30, 2012 A5
History
Updated on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 10:54 AM CST: Corrects name.
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Proudly brought to you by:
Most Popular Local
- Thieves strip $20K worth of copper wiring from gravel pit
- WWE's Jericho breaks code in Brazil
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- Blue boxes to garden boxes?
- Gang members get lengthy sentences for jailhouse beating
- Teachers split on issue of human sexuality
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- A SHED is not enough
- Football star's fatal punch probed at manslaughter trail
- Cyclist killed in Higgins Avenue crash
- Sex-scandal inquiry to be heard in city
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Female cyclist dies on Higgins after falling into semi's path
- Boozy night out, lying cost city man big bucks
- Neighbours shaken by two deaths
- Rapid buses rattling homes
- Severe storm warning issued
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Triple whammy hits homes
- Teen hit by vehicle on Pembina
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- At 100, she's still winning friends and winning at bridge
- His life made our world a better place
- Band, council defy feds on aid
- Hydro headquarters named Canada's greenest office tower
- Teachers split on issue of human sexuality
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Cummings steps out of reunion for sick mom
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- He was enjoying view, bear came out of blue
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Weeding out the chemicals
- U of W rejects copyright deal as 'money grab'
- Chemicals not par for the course
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- RRC's old gem a beauty
- Attack on hockey ref nets jail time
- Our Village is as good as it gets
- Judge faces second complaint
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.