Alton snowmobiler dies in Colebrook trail accident

COLEBROOK — An Alton resident died in a snowmobile accident Thursday afternoon. NH Fish and Game officers say the operator died from serious injuries after losing control of the machine.

Bradford Jones, 63, of Alton, was traveling with one other snowmobiler on Corridor Trail 5 at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, according to a media release from NH Fish and Game. They believe Jones lost control of the snowmobile when turning left on the trail, hitting a series of trees. He was thrown from the machine and sustained “significant injuries,” according to the release.

The other snowmobiler was traveling in front of Jones, then realized Jones was no longer behind him. He turned around to find Jones on the ground next to his damaged snowmobile. The other rider stopped to help Jones, and called 911.

Colebrook firefighters, 45th Parallel EMS, and Fish and Game conservation officers responded. Firefighters took other first responders across about 1 mile of trail to the crash scene using a rescue-tracked all-terrain vehicle, and a specialized off-road machine called an Argo.

Colebrook Fire and Rescue Personnel, 45th Parallel EMS and a conservation officer worked on life saving efforts for about an hour, but Jones ultimately died of the injuries at the scene.

The accident is under investigation. NH Fish and Game conservation officers are considering that speed unsafe for trail conditions was the primary cause of the crash.