A 4 and a 12-year-old were seriously injured Saturday while riding a snowmobile in Warsaw, Wyoming County.
News 10NBC was told the 4-year-old hit the accelerator and the snowmobile crashed into a tree, both children were thrown from the sled. NEWS 10NBC wanted to know how you could stay safe while riding a snowmobile.
NEWS 10NBC’s Lynette Adams has been digging into a new law aimed at making snowmobiling a safer sport. The new law takes effect February 27, 2006. It will change the way 170,000 snowmobilers across the state enjoy their sport, particularly children. The goal of the law is to make this a safer sport.
The law establishes a maximum speed limit of 55 miles-per-hour for snowmobiles on public trails. The law requires 10 to 17-year-old operators to take a safety course and get a safety certificate. The law requires adult supervision of operators 10 to 14-years-old. That adult must have a safety certificate and remain within 500 feet of the child. The law also provides money to improve and maintain public trails.
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Full Version: New law to make snowmobiling safer
Toddler Hurt In Snowmobile Accident
by Greg Johnston & Lisa Carino
Published Nov 27, 2005
A 4 year-old boy remained hospitalized Sunday, after a snowmobile accident Saturday.
The accident happened in the Town of Warsaw, Wyoming County. Sheriff's deputies say a 12 year-old girl and the boy were riding a snowmobile when the 4 year-old apparently pressed the accelerator, sending the sled speeding into a wooded area.
Investigators say the snowmobile struck several trees, ejecting both children who were not wearing helmets. The girl was transported to Wyoming County Community Hospital with back pain.
The boy was flown to Children's Hospital in Buffalo for what authorities described as head trauma and other internal injuries. No charges have been filed.
Both children are from Watertown, but were in Warsaw visiting family.
""NEWS 10NBC wanted to know how you could stay safe while riding a snowmobile."""...............Tell 10NBC that the parents should be held responsible for this. :frech32:
by Greg Johnston & Lisa Carino
Published Nov 27, 2005
A 4 year-old boy remained hospitalized Sunday, after a snowmobile accident Saturday.
The accident happened in the Town of Warsaw, Wyoming County. Sheriff's deputies say a 12 year-old girl and the boy were riding a snowmobile when the 4 year-old apparently pressed the accelerator, sending the sled speeding into a wooded area.
Investigators say the snowmobile struck several trees, ejecting both children who were not wearing helmets. The girl was transported to Wyoming County Community Hospital with back pain.
The boy was flown to Children's Hospital in Buffalo for what authorities described as head trauma and other internal injuries. No charges have been filed.
Both children are from Watertown, but were in Warsaw visiting family.
""NEWS 10NBC wanted to know how you could stay safe while riding a snowmobile."""...............Tell 10NBC that the parents should be held responsible for this. :frech32:
An 8-year-old Holland boy was killed Saturday when he was struck by a snowmobile while playing in the snow near his home.
Joshua Anderson, of 13417 Day Road, was hit by a snowmobile driven by James R. Davis, 24, who lives nearby.
Authorities said Joshua was sledding on a hill in a field near his home with his sister, Amber, and their friend, Ashley Pleace of East Concord, both 11, late Saturday morning.
State Police said Davis was headed west on his 2003 Polaris snowmobile and had just crested a hill when he crashed into the children at about 11:40 a.m.
Joshua died at the scene. Ashley suffered leg injuries and Amber was unhurt, investigators said. The Anderson's family dog also was killed in the crash.
"It looks like it was just a total accident," said Jeffery Snyder, a Holland Volunteer Fire Company captain who was one of the first rescuers on the scene.
"The three kids had been playing on a little hill, trying to slide down it on an inner tube," Snyder said. "They were just sitting in the snow, taking a little rest. The boy on the snowmobile came up over the hill from the other side, and there they were."
State Police and Erie County sheriff's deputies are investigating and said no charges were expected to be filed against Davis.
"It was terrible," said Suzanne Webster, a neighbor who arrived at the Anderson home moments after the crash. "I heard some screaming and went trudging over there through the snow.
"[One of the girls] was screaming, "Oh my God, don't let this happen.' Josh was lying in the snow. I reached down to take his pulse, but I couldn't feel anything. He had already passed."
Webster said Davis had already gone to get someone to call 911, and had come back to the accident scene.
"He was very silent, very quiet," Webster said of the snowmobile driver. "I asked him if anyone called 911, and he said yes. I tried to comfort him. I told him accidents happen and not to worry. I see him all the time. He rides his snowmobile along that path all the time."
Ashley was taken by Mercy Flight to Women and Children's Hospital, where she was being treated for possible fractures to her legs, State Police said. She was listed in guarded condition Saturday night.
Snyder said a distress briefing team came to the Holland fire hall to counsel firefighters who witnessed the aftermath of the accident.
State Trooper Troy Ford said he believed Saturday's crash was the first of the season in the Boston area.
"I hope this is the only one," he said.
Two winters ago in Western New York, four people were killed in snowmobile crashes within the span of a month.
There are roughly 10,000 snowmobiles registered in Erie County, according to statistics from 2002.
While adults don't need special permits to ride snowmobiles, youths between ages 10 and 17 need to pass a snowmobile safety certification class. Riders are required to buy insurance if they plan to cross roads and obtain state registration if they plan to leave their own property.
Webster said the death was especially upsetting because it began with innocent children playing in the snow.
"It's the first big snowfall of the year. It was a perfect day for kids to be playing in the snow. A perfect day for a kid to go out on his snowmobile," she said. "Why did this have to happen?"
Joshua Anderson, of 13417 Day Road, was hit by a snowmobile driven by James R. Davis, 24, who lives nearby.
Authorities said Joshua was sledding on a hill in a field near his home with his sister, Amber, and their friend, Ashley Pleace of East Concord, both 11, late Saturday morning.
State Police said Davis was headed west on his 2003 Polaris snowmobile and had just crested a hill when he crashed into the children at about 11:40 a.m.
Joshua died at the scene. Ashley suffered leg injuries and Amber was unhurt, investigators said. The Anderson's family dog also was killed in the crash.
"It looks like it was just a total accident," said Jeffery Snyder, a Holland Volunteer Fire Company captain who was one of the first rescuers on the scene.
"The three kids had been playing on a little hill, trying to slide down it on an inner tube," Snyder said. "They were just sitting in the snow, taking a little rest. The boy on the snowmobile came up over the hill from the other side, and there they were."
State Police and Erie County sheriff's deputies are investigating and said no charges were expected to be filed against Davis.
"It was terrible," said Suzanne Webster, a neighbor who arrived at the Anderson home moments after the crash. "I heard some screaming and went trudging over there through the snow.
"[One of the girls] was screaming, "Oh my God, don't let this happen.' Josh was lying in the snow. I reached down to take his pulse, but I couldn't feel anything. He had already passed."
Webster said Davis had already gone to get someone to call 911, and had come back to the accident scene.
"He was very silent, very quiet," Webster said of the snowmobile driver. "I asked him if anyone called 911, and he said yes. I tried to comfort him. I told him accidents happen and not to worry. I see him all the time. He rides his snowmobile along that path all the time."
Ashley was taken by Mercy Flight to Women and Children's Hospital, where she was being treated for possible fractures to her legs, State Police said. She was listed in guarded condition Saturday night.
Snyder said a distress briefing team came to the Holland fire hall to counsel firefighters who witnessed the aftermath of the accident.
State Trooper Troy Ford said he believed Saturday's crash was the first of the season in the Boston area.
"I hope this is the only one," he said.
Two winters ago in Western New York, four people were killed in snowmobile crashes within the span of a month.
There are roughly 10,000 snowmobiles registered in Erie County, according to statistics from 2002.
While adults don't need special permits to ride snowmobiles, youths between ages 10 and 17 need to pass a snowmobile safety certification class. Riders are required to buy insurance if they plan to cross roads and obtain state registration if they plan to leave their own property.
Webster said the death was especially upsetting because it began with innocent children playing in the snow.
"It's the first big snowfall of the year. It was a perfect day for kids to be playing in the snow. A perfect day for a kid to go out on his snowmobile," she said. "Why did this have to happen?"
Ronder, I noticed you are from MN. The new law in Question is that MN or did you hear about it for NY? 
That new law is part of the whole Snowmobile Rights and Responsibility Act that also has a 55 mph speed limit attached in it and 2 tier registration that raises the registration rate for everyone in NY but gives those that CHOOSE to join a trail club a major discount off the fee.
doesnt the 55 mph law go into effect in like feb?
NY can stick their 55 mph speed limit in their buratic butt!! People need to use their God given common sense and think!! Think about their actions and how they are going to affect them and the people around them. Kids actions are a reflection of how they are brought up. I just hope everyone riding this year gets through sound and safe.
hope they get faster sleds this year to enforce the 55mph limit.if i am cruseing at 80-90 do you really think they could catch me when they usually ride 5-600 touring sleds?
the 55 limits not going to reduce acidents that much the ones around here in n.y. last year i cant think of one where speed was the issue but hey what ever they want they feel they can control the sport more power to them ill ride whatever speed i feel like if i get a ticket oooooo well :div20:
55? good luck! they better get some new sleds cause this boy ain't stopping. it's like handing them money. no thanks, they're gonna have to work for it. and they better hope that no one ever gets killed in a chase. :frech32:
personally i think that 55mph limit is pointless. people are gonna go faster if they want to. and you know when you hit a smooth open stretch of trail out in the open your gonna open it up, its just human nature. if people are actually gonna take this speed limit seriously, i have a feeling the sales of performance and big bore sleds will drop quite a bit. i slow down when im approaching other riders and in poor weather conditions, but i dont think im gonna be doin 55 all day.... :no_bashing:
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