Three fatalities on the weekend marked an “extremely tragic way to kick off Snowmobile Safety Week,” says Orillia OPP Const. Ted Dongelmans.
The OPP and Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) partner at this time every year to issue a message of safety to snowmobilers — a message that is as important now as it ever has been, according to Dongelmans.
“Because of the unseasonably mild winter we’ve had so far, ice is terribly dangerous right now,” he said.
Among the three people who died on the weekend after their snowmobiles went through the ice on Georgian Bay were Coldwater residents Jereld Bremner, 49, and his son, Donny Bremner, 19.
It’s an unfortunately timely reminder of the importance of taking every possible measure to stay safe, Dongelmans said.
“A lot of times, snowmobile fatalities happen because people don’t have the equipment to save themselves,” he said, encouraging those who do venture onto the ice to take an ice pick, throw ropes and flotation suits.
#SnowmobileSafetyWeek 3 fatalities this weekend alone. #NoIceIsSafeIce https://t.co/TsO7q0K7OZ
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) January 19, 2021
Given the additional challenges emergency crews face during ice and trail rescues, “being prepared to save yourself is extremely important,” Dongelmans said.
Police haven’t been patrolling snowmobile trails often this season because of the unfavourable conditions and there being less traffic than usual, but Dongelmans said there seems to be an increase in “inexperienced snowmobilers” during the pandemic.
“People are trying to find inventive ways of getting outside and entertaining themselves, but that lack of experience can also be dangerous,” he said.
His advice: “Have a plan. Let somebody know where you’re going to be and when you’re going to be returning, and know the conditions.”
Before heading out on trails, snowmobilers should check out the OFSC website for updated conditions. As of Tuesday afternoon, the vast majority of trails in the province were marked as “unavailable.” A few trails in Simcoe County were marked as having “limited availability.” None in the county were marked as “available.”
Newmarket is a member of the OFSC's District 4, South Central Snowmobile Region.
