ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — A snowmobiler is dead after a weekend crash in northeastern Minnesota.
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says the victim is a 67-year-old man from Saginaw, a community 12 miles or so directly north of Cloquet.
Deputies were dispatched to a trail in Floodwood Township just before 11 p.m. Friday on reports of a snowmobile accident and a rider not breathing. Despite the lifesaving efforts of friends, and then deputies, the man who crashed did not survive.
The fatal crash remains under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff and Midwest Medical Examiner's Office.
DNR enforcement officials say preliminary numbers show 10 snowmobilers have died so far this 2022-23 riding season, more than the 6 that died during the entire 2021-22 season. The DNR's Joe Albert says the higher numbers are likely due to good riding conditions to this point, which draws more riders to the trails and unfortunately, usually results in higher crash numbers.
Earlier this year, the DNR shared these reminders for staying safe on a snowmobile.
- Stay on marked trails. Make sure to check trail conditions on the DNR website before going out to ride.
- Don’t ride impaired. Drinking and riding is the primary cause of snowmobile crashes.
- Watch your speed and stay to the right. Make sure you don't drive too fast and slow down and stay to the right side when you encounter another snowmobile.
- Be careful on the ice. There must be at least five to seven inches of new ice for it to be safe to ride on, so make sure to check ice thickness prior to riding.
- Take a snowmobile safety course. Anyone born after 1976 is required to take a course, and it is recommended for anyone interested in operating a snowmobile. Adults can take an online course designed to show the student the most common causes for snowmobile accidents in Minnesota, and how to avoid becoming an accident statistic.
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities in our YouTube playlist: