Elderly Hampton Woman Injured In Pittsburg Snowmobile Crash

HAMPTON, NH — The New Hampshire Fish & Game Department reported two snowmobile crashes in the North Country Thursday. Just before 9 a.m., a 27-year-old man from Swanzey failed to negotiate a corner on Trail 141 near Back Lake in Pittsburg. His snowmobile left the trail, struck a large tree, and then, the man was ejected into a nearby tree.

The man suffered "serious injuries," according to Conservation Officer Christopher Egan.

A rescue sled took him from the crash scene about a half a mile to an ambulance. At Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, the man was then taken to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

"Investigation at the scene and the hospital indicated that speed and inexperience appeared to be factors," Egan said. "Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the incident."

The man was wearing a full-faced helmet and eye protection at the time of the crash.

"The involved snowmobile sustained moderate damage and was able to be limped from the scene to a public road to be picked up," Egan added. "A charge of operating at an unreasonable speed for existing conditions with collision resulting is pending."

Five hours later, a 74-year-old Hampton woman was involved in a crash on Trail 139 at Golden Eagle Road. During a downhill approach to a road crossing, she lost control of a rented snowmobile and struck a snowbank. She was subsequently thrown from the machine into the road.

The woman was also taken to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook for treatment. She was wearing a helmet and eye protection at the time of the crash. Egan said "operator inexperience" appeared to be the primary factor of the crash.

The snowmobile was not damaged and driven from the scene by members of the riding party.

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