CONTACT:
Conservation Officer Jonathan Demler
(603)744-5470 (603)271-3361
3/24/2019
Ellsworth, NH — At 2:30 a.m. on March 24, Nicholas Erickson, 32, of Brookline, NH was involved in a single snowmobile crash in Ellsworth, NH. Erickson was riding freshly groomed trails at night when he ran into an eight foot snowbank at the snowmobile trail intersection with Stinson Lake Road. Erickson was thrown from the snowmobile and received serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
First responders from the Rumney Fire Department, Campton-Thornton Fire Rescue, Plymouth Fire Rescue, and a Conservation Officer from the NH Fish & Game Department responded to a cabin a short distance from the crash scene, where Erickson had been transported to by his riding companion. Erickson was assessed by medical personnel but was not transported to a medical facility. Investigation into the crash concluded that speed and operator inexperience were the major contributing factors.
Snowmobile riding at night may seem like an attractive option to some riders because of the freshly-groomed trails and reduced traffic on the trails. Conservation Officers would like to remind snowmobilers to understand that there are dangers associated with nighttime operation especially due to limited visibility. Always maintain safe speeds for the riding conditions.