Continuous News

Belgrade man hospitalized after crashing snowmobile

Posted: Feb 17, 2013 7:54 PM by MTN News
Updated: Feb 18, 2013 8:47 AM

A 63 year old Belgrade man was hospitalized after sustaining face and head injuries in a snowmobile accident on Sunday afternoon.

Officials say the man was traveling with a group of snowmobilers off of the Brackett Creek trailhead. The man allegedly ran into trouble when coming around a curve on Brackett Creek road, crashed and was thrown off his machine 20 feet downhill on a rockslide in timber.

Twenty-three Search and Rescue volunteers, 2 Deputies and a US Forest Service law enforcement officer were dispatched to the scene around noon. The patient was stabilized at the crash site, placed on backboard and brought up to the road. He was then taken approximately 2 miles by Search and Rescue to the trailhead and transported to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital by AMR.

This holiday weekend has been especially busy for deputies and Search and Rescue. Gallatin County Sheriff, Brian Gootkin, urges travelers and recreationalists to use extra caution during the holiday weekend.

"As we mentioned yesterday [Saturday] this holiday weekend is a busy one for us. When you're out having fun snowmobiling in the backcountry, be sure and keep a few things in mind: Always ride under control, and avoid excess speed, be aware of the terrain you are riding in and be ready for that terrain to change, be sure you are wearing all of your personal protective gear properly," Said Gootkin.