A snowmobiler in his sixties died Sunday after hitting a tree head-on on a trail in Saint-Cuthbert, in Lanaudière. This is the fourth fatal accident involving a snowmobile to occur since Friday.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) reports having been called to the scene at the start of the day, Sunday, around 9 a.m. The collision that occurred on federated trail 63 would have occurred during a hike.
Accompanied by two other snowmobilers, the victim “would have lost control of his machine before going to hit a tree”, summarized agent Catherine Bernard, spokesperson for the SQ.
According to the authorities, the death of the victim, who had initially been considered to be in a critical condition, was finally confirmed on the spot. A collision scene investigator then went to the scene to try to understand the exact causes and circumstances of the event.
Several other fatal snowmobile accidents have occurred since the start of the weekend. On Friday, a man in his thirties lost his life on the handlebars of his snowmobile after going for a trip to Sainte-Hélène-de-Bagot, in Montérégie. Another snowmobiler found the victim, who had lost control of his vehicle in a curve.
Two other snowmobilers have also lost their lives in recent days in two separate accidents. The first occurred in Tring-Jonction, in Beauce-Centre, on Friday and the second, in the Mars-Moulin controlled zone, in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, on Saturday.
Calls for caution
In a press release on Friday, the Sûreté du Québec had also called on users to be very careful, as spring break approached, deploring that, “in order to entertain children, some adults adopt behaviors which prove to be unsafe, and at risk of serious injury when practicing motorized sports”.
“It is not permitted to attach a snow tube or any other sliding object behind a snowmobile or quad, this proves to be a reckless action according to article 30 of the ORV law and the fine expected is $450,” the police force insisted.
The latter also recalled that it is “allowed to have passengers in a cart behind”, but that it “must include a rigid attachment as well as reflectors and a light which is activated when braking”. “Passengers, like the driver, must wear a helmet. […] It is forbidden to install a child in front of you on a snowmobile or a quad, ”we also argued.
Anyone under the age of 16 who drives a snowmobile or off-road vehicle is liable to a fine of $450. Users are advised to respect speed limits, to travel on trails and to avoid unmarked bodies of water, as the state of the ice may represent “a significant risk”.