NORTH BAY -- North Bay OPP is cautioning snowmobilers after investigating four crashes, including one fatality, this week.
On Feb. 8, around 4 p.m. police were called to the scene of a fatal crash between a snowmobile and a backhoe.
Officials say 28-year-old Keith "Jordan" McNabb, of Tara, Ont., was the lone rider and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of the crash has not been released.
Police also say a snowmobiler was thrown from their machine after hitting a snow ridge on Lake Nipissing in Nipissing Township on Feb. 4. The driver was reportedly found by a passerby around 8:30 p.m. after lying on the ice for about two hours and was then taken to hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
Two other separate incidents, involving snowmobiles that crashed into trees, reportedly happened on Sunday afternoon in Papineau-Cameron Township.
North Bay OPP say the first one that day happened around 12:30 p.m. on "A" trail near the Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort. As a result, a 39-year-old from Omemee, Ont. was sent to hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries and received a three-day administrative drivers licence suspension in connection to the incident.
The second crash that police say happened on Sunday was around 3 p.m. on "A112A" near Cameron Road. Officials say the driver in that crash suffered minor injuries and no charges were laid.
“We need people to be safe out there and to drive safe. It’s beautiful out there for snowmobilers, but we need people to obey the law,” said OPP Const. Shona Camirand.
Since the start of the snowmobile season, North Bay OPP say they have investigated a total of eight crashes, including two fatalities.
"Traveling on unsafe ice, speeding, driving too fast for the conditions and alcohol/drug consumption continue to be leading contributing factors in OPP-investigated snowmobile collisions and fatalities. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate and enjoy the snowmobile season, but safety needs to be a priority for everyone. Please drive safe and drive sober," said North Bay OPP Staff Sergeant William McMullen.
