Just heard on the TV two died today when they sled into the Barton River in Barton? Anyone know the details?

What next

here you go


Barton, Vermont - February 26, 2005

Two people are dead following a snowmobile accident in the Northeast Kingdom.

Police believe the two victims drowned after driving into the Barton River.

Police say 30 year-old Freddy Geraw and his 12 year-old nephew, Michael, were swept downstream after Geraw drove off a VAST trail and into the river. The water was about 7 feet deep where the two went in.

They were following another snowmobile driven by Geraw's twin brother at the time of the accident.

Police say alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors in the crash.

The crash brings the total number of snowmobile fatalities this year to eight - the deadliest season on record

its really sad
i heard on the news yesterday 6 deaths was a record
now this

ill tell ya..iv seen some crazy stuff on the trails this year !!!

i seen a pick up parked at a intersection of a trail...that means he drove down the trail to get there!!!! :frech32:

an suv driving down the trail on a sat. :frech32:

guys riding into blind corners on the wrong side of the trail :frech32:

guys doing 75 m.p.h. with there kids on the sled with them :frech32:

guys drinking like fish at bars,( and clearly drunk) then going out riding :frech32:

a cop siting on his sled, parked sideways on the trail around a blind corner......not broke down, or stoping people....just talking a cigerettte break!!!....this one deservers a dubble :frech32: :frech32:


guys (with mirrors on there sleds) signaling that there is no one behind them,,, when in fact we were behind them forever, waiting to pass safely....but couldnt becouse they were riding from the left to the right side of the trail , not paying a bit of attention to anything :frech32:


and childern riding 140 H.P. hi- performace sleds


AND THATS JUST THIS YEAR!!

i dont want to rant, but...its not really surprising we are getting hurt out there..
is it???

Thanks jinx

Its too bad, I try and stress that accidents happen when you least expect it.

Snowmobiling is and always will be a real dangerous sport.

Increasing number of riders, congested trails, icey trails, inexperanced riders, experanced riders acting irasponsible, sleds that get up to 85mph in four seconds.

When the trails weren't as wide as now (billygoat trails) I used to say who moved that tree. Now its the not the trees its a boat load of riders which increases the odds of accidents tremendesouly.

I'll bet anyone money we see cops at IP and surrounding area's this weekend :banghead: :frech32:

I've seen a young kid riding a REV. with his father right behind riding anohter rev.

Your right. I saw on the WCAX news on Monday that VAST has allocated more funds for increased law enforcement patrols. A good thing I guess, can never be to safe. I've learned the hard way, stay right!!!

THINK SNOW!!! :fluffy:

That is kind of a usless statement if you do not have the facts about the riders and the sled sizes, what is your point ?

get this. the kid was still alive when the rescuers arrived. they would not go down and get him... pretty much watched him die down there. great rescue crew. this is the same crew who would not go on the ice for another snowmobile rescue not too long ago this winter.


hope i don't get in an accident where they have to come for me...

That's quite an accusation to make against an orginization... Where are you getting that info??

Wow, with a post like that you must be some type of outdoor rescue expert or something, Right? You probably also volunteer alot in your community, doing things like these rescuers (most likely volunteer)?

If the ice is thick enough for the rescuers, then why isn't it thick enough for the victim to climb out on his own?

Believe me, I'm sure they did everything they could with the equipment and training they had.

Well, just heard what Viper said from a family friend. They are saying they were moving less then 15 mph, when over the bank and fell in the water. The rescuers were on the scene while they were alive, one died in the hospital in fact. Supposedly he said that they were there as much as 20 minutes while they were in the water. Never judge a situation if you weren't there, but that's what these folks said.

first off, good guess. at college now, away from home, but while in H.S., i did volunteer a lot. worked the recycling station, was a student member on the committee that oversees the towns 200 acre park, volunteered much time clearing, making and restoring trails there, and spent much time monitoring the quality of the water in the lake there, as it is the back-up water supply for the town. as a high-school kid, i spent a lot of my own time and free summer hours after work working for my town. and not from a judges order. THANK YOU much sir. and oh yeah, was a member of a work camp and painted an entire 3 story house for someone who couldn't afford to have it done professionally. and... i was the only one who would go up the latter above the first story and a half up. thanks again. if it sounds like i'm offended, then you might be right.

no, that's not rescue, but i am not a lame ass who sits around moaning and b!tching all day.



second, lets think a bit here.... when the water is well below freezing and your limbs are not moving because of that cold, are YOU going to be able to crawl out of the water? especially when you're 12 years old and don't have your wits about you? :frech32:

I personally wasn't bashing anyone. It's just that when you make what I consider a slanderous statement about a fire and rescue crew (probably volunteer), you should be able to provide a source of that information. If you feel comfortable making a statement like this based on "what you heard" that's fine. Personally I don't belive anything I hear and only about half of what I see. No offense to you madcat, you threw in the caveat "Never judge a situation if you weren't there, but that's what these folks said". The other poster just threw out the statement.....

madcat, a family friend of yours, or a family friend of the victim(s)?