Girl Fatally Crashes Snowmobile During Wis. Safety Course
Oct. 28--A western Wisconsin girl participating in a state-sponsored snowmobile safety course accelerated off the course at Osceola High School, crashed into a loading dock and died despite her mother's lifesaving efforts, authorities said.
The crash occurred shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday, according to police. Authorities have yet to release the identity of the 13-year-old girl, who attended middle school at the building next door to where the incident occurred and died the following day at Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul.
An initial inspection of the snowmobile revealed no immediate explanation for what police termed a "rapid acceleration" during the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources class. The machine has been stored for further investigation.
The class was being taught by volunteers from the local snowmobile club, said Police Chief Tim Lauridsen. Half of the class of 42 had completed the slow-speed maneuver course when the crash occurred, the chief added.
According to police:
The girl, who was wearing a helmet, had been negotiating a slow-speed course made up of a pattern of traffic cones, when her snowmobile accelerated and struck the loading dock. The child had completed a pre-ride safety check and was in the next phase of the class at the time.
After the snowmobile hit the loading dock, the girl's mother rushed to her side and joined with first responders to give the child medical attention.
The girl was taken by air ambulance to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and then transferred to neighboring Gillette Children's Hospital, where she arrived in critical condition and was put on life support.
Paul Walsh -- 612-673-4482
Copyright 2013 - Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
