ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — Minnesota State Senator, Torrey Westrom, was transported to a hospital after a snowmobile accident Sunday afternoon.
Deputies and first responders from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded to Lake Ida on reports of a snowmobile accident at 3:03 p.m., according to a release from the department.
The responding officers then located Westrom 200 yards from the shoreline. The 2009 Arctic Cat was being driven by a 13-year-old when it struck a packed snowdrift on the lake, causing Westrom to be thrown from the sled.
Westrom was taken to shore by snowmobile rescue sled and then transported to Alomere Hospital after complaining of upper body pain. The teen was not injured in the incident.
A statement from the Westrom family said the snowmobile struck a chunk of ice left behind from a fish house:
"Earlier today, Sen. Torrey Westrom was a passenger on a snowmobile driven by a family member when it struck an ice chunk left from a fish house and caused Westrom to fall off the snowmobile. He was checked out by first responders and brought to the hospital where he remains for observation. The driver, who had received his Youth Snowmobile Safety certification, was not injured. Sen. Westrom sends his thanks to the first responders for their care and fast response."
Sen. Westrom is a Republican in his fourth term. He was previously elected to the House in 1996, and served eight terms as a state representative.
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