CONTACT:
Conservation Officer Chris Brison: (603) 271-3361
February 16, 2019
GILFORD, NH – At 1:15 pm Saturday, February 16, a Meredith man sustained serious life threatening injuries when his snowmobile struck an ice pressure ridge that had formed on Lake Winnipesaukee. Ice pressure ridges are formed on floating ice by the buckling or crushing of lateral force caused by wind and currents. Brandon Quinn, 57, of Meredith, NH, was traveling by snowmobile from Alton Bay to Meredith on the ice at approximately 45 mph when he unexpectedly rode over the 1.5 foot abrupt ridge. After striking the pressure ridge, Quinn was ejected from his machine before striking the solid ice. Lakes Region Mutual Fire were contacted, and Gilford EMS, Gilford PD, and Conservation Officers responded to the scene. Due to the extent of his injuries, Quinn was transported to Concord Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Ice pressure ridges are common on New Hampshire’s larger waterbodies and can be difficult to see while traversing snow covered ice at cruising speeds because they blend into the surrounding vast landscape. While there are common spots where ridges form on NH’s Lakes, they can flatten out as the weather changes, creating wide gaps of open water between ice flats. These ridges can also form in more unpredictable locations making for difficult and treacherous navigation.
Quinn was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. No further details are available at this time.