Two Montana Snowmobile Accidents are Sobering Safety Reminders

Big Sky Country is seeing much more snowfall being ushered in with the new year. And with it, huge increases in snowmobile recreation.

Snowmobiling is a passion of many Montanans. It also generates tourism revenue for many small communities during the winter months. This is by no means a condemnation of what can happen due to carelessness. We don't even have all the details on how the accidents happened. This is simply about awareness for those who no doubt care about their fellow riders.

We received word of two separate accidents this week in Montana. On Sunday, January 7, Gallatin County authorities were notified of a snowmobile crash after a rider veered off the trail and collided with a tree. The rider sustained a severe leg injury in the crash rendering the rider unable to move. Search and Rescue teams responded to the scene and located the rider, quickly providing critical care after assessing the injured rider’s condition. Due to the severity of the injury, the patient was transferred to a waiting Air Idaho Rescue helicopter which provided rapid evacuation to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

The other accident this week occurred in the northwest Montana/Idaho border, also on Sunday, January 7. Idaho County Dispatch received a text from a caller reporting a snowmobile crash near Rudd Moore Lake, in the back country near the border.

Dispatch contacted Two Bear Air out of Flathead County, requesting an attempt to rescue the injured rider, with weather conditions making a flight questionable. Dispatch also contacted Ravalli County Search and Rescue, in the event that a ground rescue would be necessary.

Sunday afternoon Two Bear Air was able to rescue the injured snowmobiler and transported him to a hospital in Missoula.

At this time, we have no updates on the conditions of either rider. Special thanks to all emergency personnel for their amazing rescue efforts. They would like to remind all riders  to be mindful of their limits and maintain safe speeds. Furthermore, it is advisable to stay on marked trails and be sure to have warm clothing and extra food and water in the event of an unexpected stay in the back country. And as always, recreate with a friend who can contact emergency services in the event of an accident.