OPP concerned with snowmobile deaths, crashes in northeast
In the wake of two serious snowmobiling injuries on North Bay-area trails since the start of March, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are pleading with snowmobilers to slow down and follow the rules.
Police are asking snowmobilers to use common sense when out on the trail system asking snowmobiles to slow their machines down.
"Most people follow the rules and do a good job being safe but there is a minority out there who we hope will change their thought process,” said Sgt. Carlo Berardi.
From March 3 - 6, OPP in North Bay responded to two serious snowmobile crashes where the drivers were hurt. Four snowmobilers have been killed this winter in the northeast, most recently a 40-year-old on Feb. 25 on a trail north of North Bay. 10 snowmobilers have died across all of Ontario this winter.
"We have two causal factors that keep coming up and that is speed and alcohol,” said Berardi.
“People have to watch how fast they're going and of course, do not drive impaired."
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Police told CTV News that throughout the March Break, they will be monitoring trails and that there will be zero tolerance for law-breakers.
Police said the warmer weather coming up, it could make for dicey conditions.
"We are concerned with people going through the ice,” said Beradi.
“We've talked about this before. Stay off the water and stick to the trails to be safe.”
Last winter, OPP recorded five snowmobile-related deaths in northeastern Ontario.
Two snow machine riders on a snowy trail. (File photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.