Two snowmobilers injured in Franklin Saturday, after collision with each other

FRANKLIN — A pair of snowmobilers who Fish and Game officers say were riding off-trail crashed Saturday, and one operator was pinned under their machine.

New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officers were notified by a snowmobiler in the group about a crash where someone was injured at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, in the Franklin Falls Flood Control Area located on Corridor 11.

“One of the members of the party called 911, and that got Franklin Fire headed their way, and they notified me,” Fish and Game Lt. James Kneeland said. “I was running radar in Hill Village 2 miles up the trail at that time, so I was kind of Johnny-on-the-spot.”

Kneeland took his snowmobile to the scene, about a mile north of Route 3A, where members of the Franklin Fire Department were being shuttled to the crash by other snowmobilers.

Conservation officers learned three snowmobilers were traveling north on Corridor 11. They left a wooded area of the trail into a field, and 42-year-old Sean Nelson, of Pembroke, left the trail for fresh snow. Nelson was in the lead, and Christopher Bourque, 48, of Boscawen, followed suit.

Officers said when Nelson traveled back to the trail, the two snowmobiles crashed and rolled over, and one operator was pinned. Good Samaritan snowmobilers helped free the pinned operator, and gave aid until first responders got to the crash site.

Both snowmobiles suffered “extensive damage” and are no longer operational. The two operators suffered minor injuries, and were taken to Route 3A, where friends met them to drive them for medical attention, as well as help retrieve the two sleds.

Agencies responding to the crash included NH Fish and Game, Franklin Fire and Police departments, and Tilton-Northfield Fire & EMS. State Police assisted, as well.

Shift Capt. Dan Chapman of Franklin Fire said they sent a rescue truck and ambulance, and Tilton-Northfield also sent an ambulance. Chapman called their involvement “benign,” and said while the accident sounded pretty bad, they did not need to bring any patients for medical attention. However, he said that didn’t mean the injuries didn’t require attention.

“There were definitely injuries, but we did not transport,” Chapman said. “They were evaluated and released. There is no doubt they went via someone else’s vehicle.”

Kneeland said he didn't know the status of the victims, nor where they went to get evaluated, but said they signed themselves off and refused a ride to the hospital.

“I’m not sure how quickly they went, or if they were more concerned about retrieving the snowmobiles,” Kneeland said, noting he went back an hour or so later, and the machines were already gone.

Kneeland said the riders went about 30-40 feet off-trail, in an area owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. No charges were filed. Kneeland said he didn’t want to “add insult to injury,” considering they were already paying for it with the loss of their snowmachines and their injuries.

Kneeland reminded the public to ride responsibly and stay on marked trails, and noted while he didn’t press charges against the operators, that isn’t always the case.

“You can be charged,” Kneeland said. “Technically, you need hand-written permission.”

According to the “Stay on the Trail” section of the Fish and Game website, off-trail riding has been an issue. The department has the slogan of “stay on the trail, or stay home.”

The site notes not only forest growth can be damaged, as well as personal property, riding off-trail can be dangerous, as official trails are maintained by the Trails Bureau or local snowmobile clubs. It can also make it difficult for first responders to respond to medical emergencies and accidents.

Kneeland recommends staying on marked trails to avoid angering landowners, and be aware of surroundings no matter where you ride.

For more information, visit wildlife.nh.gov/stay-trail.