In addition to the fatalities, NH Fish & Game responded to several other accidents along trails and water bodies.
CONCORD, NH – The following reports were issued by NH Fish & Game detailing two separate incidents that results in three fatalities on Lake Winnipesaukee.
On Saturday, February 11 at approximately 11:30 a.m. rescuers respond to a rescue involving three people who entered open water between Long Island and Sandy Island on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Steven Weiss, 66, and David Crosier, 68, both from Westborough Mass., and their friend Mark O’Connell, 62, from Moultonborough, were riding snowmobiles together on Lake Winnipesaukee. All three snowmobiles entered open water off of Long Island. Rescuers from Moultonborough Fire, Tuftonboro Fire along with their Airboat and Fish and Game responded to the scene.
Steven Weiss was able to operate his snowmobile toward Long Island and make it to shore. Mark O’Connell remained in the water keeping afloat on ice debris. He was recovered by the Tuftonboro airboat unresponsive and pronounced deceased at the hospital. David Crosier was recovered later that night by Conservation Officers utilizing a Remote Operated Vehicle along with their Airboat in 21 feet of water.
In a separate incident on Feb. 11, a 15-year-old from Mamaroneck, NY, drowned following a mishap in Alton.
Just before 3 p.m. a 48-year-old man and his 15-year-old son were riding snowmobiles on Lake Winnipesaukee. They had left from Sleepers Island and were headed toward Ship and Moose Islands when they encountered a large area of thin ice. Both machines broke through the ice and sent the men into the water. Members of Alton Fire, Gilford Fire, as well as airboat teams from Tuftonboro Fire and West Ossipee Fire and Conservation Officers responded.
The father was located and transported by ambulance to Lakes Region Hospital in Laconia for treatment. He was later released. Unfortunately, his son was missing and presumed drowned. On February 12 at 9:30 a.m. Conservation Officers utilizing a Remote Operated Vehicle along with the Tuftonboro Fire Airboat Team located the young man in 73 feet of water and were able to recover his body.
These incidents should remind anyone participating in activities on the ice to take precautions. Ice conditions are variable, constantly changing due to weather and water. Anyone participating in activities on the ice should inspect the ice to insure it is safe for the activity they are performing. Personnel preventive equipment such as flotation coats and devices, ice picks and throw ropes should always be readily available while on the ice.
CENTER BARNSTEAD, NH – On Friday February 10 at approximately 3:30 p.m., Conservation Officers were contacted to investigate a single snowmachine accident involving 73-year-old Claudia Finlay of Center Barnstead. The accident occurred in the area of the Dollar General along the snowmachine trail. . Finlay received injuries to her body when the snowmachine she was operating tipped over as, she was going over an
embankment on the trail.
Finlay was thrown off of the snowmachine causing her injuries. A second operator who witnessed the incident called 911 for immediate medical assistance. Finlay was transported to Concord Hospital for treatment of her injuries, which were serious but not life threatening in nature.
Upon conclusion of the investigation at the scene and at the hospital, it was determined that inexperience operating a snowmachine was the cause of the accident.
CANDIA, NH – On February 11 at 11:55 a.m., Conservation Officers were contacted to investigate a single snowmachine accident involving a 14 year old on the Corridor 15 snowmobile trail in Candia near Brown Road. The operator, a 14-year-old from Newton, was traveling west on the trail when his visor iced over and he drove into snow dust causing him to lose sight of the trail. He then traveled off the trail and crashed into a large tree. The operator sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Elliot Hospital in Manchester.
At this time it appears that the weather and snow dust were the main factors in the accident.
DERRY, NH – On Feb. 11 at 2 p.m., Conservation Officers were contacted to investigate a single snowmachine accident involving a 21-year-old male from Derry. The operator Jacob Marois of Derry was operating a snowmobile on his own property when the throttle on the snowmobile he was driving became stuck.
He was able to jump from the snowmobile before it crashed into numerous trees. The operator sustained no serious injuries, unfortunately the snowmobile was destroyed.
At this time it appears that the weather and snow dust were the main factors in the accident.
