Man suffers serious head injuries in snowmobile accident

January 5, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
The new year started off with tragedy for a York Region man.
Investigators with the York Regional Police Major Collision Investigation Unit are seeking witnesses and security camera video following a serious collision involving a snowmobile in King Township.
On Sunday, Jan. 3 at 4:06 a.m., York Regional Police responded to a serious collision on a rural property located in the area of Keele Street and Strawberry Lane. Investigators believe that a 36-year-old man from the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville was riding a snowmobile on the property when, for reasons still under investigation, he struck a boat that was stored on the property. The rider suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains.
He was apparently thrown from the snowmobile and alcohol may have been a factor.
York Regional Police is asking anyone with information to contact the Major Collision Investigation Unit by calling 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7704, or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com, or text your tip by sending TIPYORK and your message to CRIMES (274637) starting with the word YORK.
Police are urging caution and safety when heading out on snowmobiles this winter.
Know your machine safely before you hit the trails. Make sure you know the power and speed of your machine and how to operate it.
Always wear an approved helmet.
Take a cell phone and emergency kit with you in case you get lost or need help.
Make sure you bring your licence, insurance and riding permit with you.
Check the local weather forecast before heading out. You don’t want to be stuck in bad weather.
Obey all posted speed limits and slow down if riding at night.
Use extreme caution when riding on frozen bodies of water. Thin patches, pressure cracks and hidden docks are all potentially life-threatening dangers
Know where you can ride and tell someone where you are headed and when you expect to be back.