2 separate snowmobile (motorized snow vehicle) collisions happened over the weekend.
On February 14th, Kenora OPP say a 50-year-old male on Catherine Lake struck a hardened snowbank along an ice road during foggy, low-visibility conditions. Weather and visibility were factors while on February 15th, Kenora OPP say a collision happened on Long Pine Lake involving a 61-year-old male and a 35-year-old male. All riders were transported to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Helmet use and rider proximity were factors in the Long Pine Lake crash according to OPP.
Kenora OPP, Falcon Beach RCMP and Manitoba EMS responded to the scenes.
The OPP is reminding all snowmobile operators to follow safe riding practices, including:
- Wearing an approved helmet and ensuring it is properly fastened
- Maintaining safe distances from other riders
- Operating at speeds appropriate for trail, ice, and weather conditions
- Avoiding travel during low‑visibility conditions when possible
- Staying alert for changing ice, snow, and terrain hazards
- Ensuring machines are properly maintained and in good working order
