Feb 16/08
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Man Injured in Sharbot Lake Snowmobile AccidentBy David Brison A young male visitor from Montreal was a passenger on a snowmobile that was involved in an accident early Sunday morning, February 13, on the K&P trail just south of the Village of Sharbot Lake. He suffered a compound fracture of his leg in what has been described as a "bad break". Two young males from the Sharbot Lake area were arrested and charged with impaired operation of the snowmobiles with blood alcohol levels above 80 mgs. and impaired operation causing bodily harm. A date for appearance in court on these charges has been selected. The accident occurred shortly before 3:00am on Sunday morning. Constable Dan Marshall, Public Relations Officer with the Kingston OPP detachment, stated that the incident report filed after the accident said that the machine carrying the passenger slowed down and was rammed into by the second machine that was following it. The accident highlights concern about snowmobile safety. Mike Wiley, who lives very close to where the accident took place, (he and his wife slept through the police investigation and the arrival of the ambulance), said, "There is speeding and reckless driving on the trail and on the lake - both snowmobiles and 4 wheelers. The majority of snowmobilers are very responsible but there is a definite minority who are not." Mike foresees problems if trail use increases when (and if) the rail bed becomes part of an all purpose network of trails in the area. "I am generally in favour of the all purpose trail that is proposed for the abandoned K&P trail bed, but I am concerned for safety, especially if there is increased use", he said. Barry Baily, President of the Sharbot Lake District Snowriders, said. "Our organization has spend thousands of dollars to help ensure trail safety through grooming and brushing the trails, replacing unsafe bridges, replacing culverts, filling in holes, posting speed limits, and are cooperating fully with the OPP in their attempts to patrol the trails." Baily stresses that the work done by the snowmobile clubs is all volunteer. The Sharbot Lake OPP detachment has two machines they use to patrol trails. "Their presence helps to reduce speeding", Baily stated. Responsible snowmobiling is also encouraged through enforcement of the requirement that drivers have their machines registered, have a license, and proof of insurance, and that this documentation be carried with them when they are operating their machines. Information on whether the men charged in the Sharbot Lake accident had this documentation in their possession is not available. An officer from the Perth detachment of the OPP, Daniel Lefebvre, has been designated as snowmobile safety officer for the region. Barry Baily says that the snowmobile clubs welcome his efforts to promote snowmobile safety. Constable Lefebvre wants to start The Stop Program, a program that has been tried elsewhere in the province. The Sharbot Lake District Snowriders are actively cooperating. Under this program, the OPP will train community volunteers who, after receiving 80 hours of training, will be made special constables and be able to patrol the trails. The Stop Program could be ready by next winter.