Snowmobilers warned of deadliest weekend

GREENVILLE – This weekend has the designation of being the state’s deadliest for snowmobiling, a history that includes two fatal snowmobile accidents during this period in each of the past two years.

Hoping to end that designation, wardens will be out in full force today and Sunday working to ensure that snowmobilers obey the law for their safety and the safety of others, according to Deborah Turcotte, interim spokeswoman for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

“We’re hoping history doesn’t repeat itself this year,” Turcotte said Friday.

As of Feb. 17, this snowmobile season already has surpassed last year in accidents and fatal injuries. There have been 120 snowmobile accidents, 58 of which involved personal injury, according to Turcotte. There also have been four snowmobile fatalities since that date, according to the most recent figures available. In comparison, during the same period last year, there were 89 accidents, 35 of which involved personal injury, and one fatality.

Turcotte attributes several factors that have made school vacation weekend the deadliest.

“It’s vacation time, people are wanting to get out and enjoy the weather, they’re experiencing a bit of cabin fever and they want to go out and have fun,” Turcotte said. “Most people are safe and enjoy the season and enjoy the activity, but unfortunately a few accidents do happen.”

For Warden Sgt. Ralph Hosford and others, this February vacation week has been a nightmare from the start. “This has been a week from hell, starting last weekend,” he said Friday. At least eight accidents were investigated during the week ranging from Dover-Foxcroft to the Moosehead Lake region, he said.

“An awful lot of it has been caused by one, speed, and two, [not] staying on your own part of you’re trail,” Hosford said. Wardens, who have held special details on corners in an effort to slow down snowmobilers, often get nasty responses. “Guys get real ugly with us, but an awful lot of our accidents are head-on, they’re running into each other from behind, they’re following too close or hitting someone head-on because of corners. We’ve had some real bad injuries this winter, not just this week, but throughout the winter, with basically head-ons, broken arms, legs, shoulders.”

In addition to these accidents, wardens have been busy with searches.

The latest incident Friday involved an air and ground search for a Ware, Mass., man who failed to return to his Greenville motel room Thursday night. Louis Lessard, 46, who had taken a night ride at 10 p.m. to look at the full moon, was found near Wilson Pond at about 10 a.m. Friday by other snowmobilers, according to Turcotte. Lessard’s snowmobile had become stuck in the snow, forcing him to spend the night outdoors where the temperature dipped well below zero.

Wardens said Lessard had been well-prepared for the night, was dressed warmly and had started a fire to keep warm. He reportedly had told his wife before he left that he planned to snowmobile either to Sandy Bay, Indian Hill or Kokadjo.

This search brings the number of calls wardens have responded to for overdue snowmobilers this season to more than 20. Lessard used common sense, telling his wife the possible routes he planned to take and going out into the cold prepared for the weather, according to wardens.

Common sense should prevail on the trails, Turcotte said. Snowmobilers should use caution, use reasonable speeds, ride to the right on the trails, and not drink and ride. They also should check trail conditions before venturing out onto any ice. Those unfamiliar with an area should talk to the locals who know where the weak spots are on ponds and lakes, she said.

With the recent weather conditions, snowmobilers also are being warned that “snow dust,” snow that is kicked up by snowmobilers, makes visibility extremely difficult. Don’t follow closely behind another snowmobile and drive safely.

History repeats itself, but it is hoped, not this year, Turcotte said.

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