Cass County Officials Report President’s Day Weekend Snowmobile Crashes
On February 17th 2022 at 9:19 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a snowmobile crash with injury on the Paul Bunyan Trail in Powers Township, rural Backus MN. Responder arrived on scene and learned that a 66-year-old male of Sauk Rapids MN was operating a 2019 Artic Cat when it rolled over and left the trail causing injury to its operator. The patient was transported to a Brainerd MN hospital.
On February 18th 2022 at 11:12 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a snowmobile crash with injury on the Old Grade Trail NE in Blind Lake Township, rural Pine River MN. Responders arrived on scene and learned that a 33-year-old male of St. James MN was operating a 1997 Yamaha when it left the trail causing injury to its operator. The patient was transported to a Brainerd MN hospital.
On February 19th 2022 at 11:21 AM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a snowmobile crash with injury on the Bull Moose Trail near State Hwy 87 in Bull Moose Twp, rural Backus MN. Responders arrived and learned that a 54-year-old female from Zumbrota MN was operating a 2006 Polaris when it left the trail going into a deep ravine and colliding with a large tree. The patient was treated on scene and transported via helicopter to a St Cloud MN hospital with serious injury.
On February 19th 2022 at 4:33 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a snowmobile crash with injury on a trail in Fairview Township, rural Brainerd MN. Responders arrived on scene and learned that a 43-year-old male of Elk River MN was operating at 2012 Polaris when it left the trail causing injury to the operator. The patient was treated on scene and transported to a Brainerd MN hospital.
Sheriff Burch notes that in many of these incidents, speed was the main factor causing the machine to leave the trail and crash. Sheriff Burch encourages all operators to know and understand their machine and the trail they are riding on and not to exceed speed for the conditions or terrain encountered. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a significant number of snowmobiles recreating in the region this winter due to excellent snow conditions and good weather.
Sheriff Burch requests that all riders be aware of the Nisswa 100 snowmobile race being held this coming weekend, February 26-27, in the area as well as the Frozen Four event being held on Gull Lake in both Crow Wing and Cass Counties. Significant snowmobile traffic will be present for both events, as well as recreational riders in the area. Please use extra caution if recreating in these areas during this time period.