RX1 Yooper
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Yesterday, a 65 year old former dummy, blasted past another sled about 80, hits a bump, and hit a tree, killing him. His son was with him.
Swiss Sledder
TY 4 Stroke God
Got this off another site. Apparently the guy was president of his snowmobile club.
MUNISING — An Ohio man has become the third snowmobiler to be killed this winter in the Upper Peninsula. Thomas Ratliff, 65, of Dayton was eastbound along snowmobile Trail No. 8 Monday afternoon when he struck a bump that caused him to lose control of his sled, according to Michigan State Police troopers from the Munising post. After leaving the trail, Ratliff struck a tree, causing his fatal injuries. He was visiting the area, staying in Munising. Ratliff was riding with his son and a family friend at the time, police said.
Troopers said excessive speed was determined to be a factor in the accident. Alcohol use was not involved. The crash occurred at 12:15 p.m. near Ross Lake Road in Schoolcraft County. Alger County Ambulance workers transported Ratliff to Munising Memorial Hospital in Munising, but police said he was dead at the accident scene. Deputies from the Alger County Sheriff’s Department assisted state police.
Last winter, almost 20 percent of the 16 Upper Peninsula sledding fatalities occurred in Schoolcraft County. So far this season, there have been five fatal snowmobile crashes in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The two additional U.P. crashes this winter occurred in Houghton and Luce counties. In both of those fatal accidents, riders also struck fixed objects — a utility pole and a tree — causing their deaths.
MUNISING — An Ohio man has become the third snowmobiler to be killed this winter in the Upper Peninsula. Thomas Ratliff, 65, of Dayton was eastbound along snowmobile Trail No. 8 Monday afternoon when he struck a bump that caused him to lose control of his sled, according to Michigan State Police troopers from the Munising post. After leaving the trail, Ratliff struck a tree, causing his fatal injuries. He was visiting the area, staying in Munising. Ratliff was riding with his son and a family friend at the time, police said.
Troopers said excessive speed was determined to be a factor in the accident. Alcohol use was not involved. The crash occurred at 12:15 p.m. near Ross Lake Road in Schoolcraft County. Alger County Ambulance workers transported Ratliff to Munising Memorial Hospital in Munising, but police said he was dead at the accident scene. Deputies from the Alger County Sheriff’s Department assisted state police.
Last winter, almost 20 percent of the 16 Upper Peninsula sledding fatalities occurred in Schoolcraft County. So far this season, there have been five fatal snowmobile crashes in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The two additional U.P. crashes this winter occurred in Houghton and Luce counties. In both of those fatal accidents, riders also struck fixed objects — a utility pole and a tree — causing their deaths.
race24x
TY 4 Stroke Master
I am sorry to hear about this incident my condolances to his family. We all need to be careful out there. There are rocks bumps stumps and I am sure all of us have done 80 on a trail before
We were on that trail last week, and it's more like a 3 foot tall trail entrance hump that you don't see until you've hit it. We all hit it around 40-50 mph, and it still caught us off guard. On the way home, it did make for a pretty nice ramp though once we knew it was there.
be safe out there.
joel (woodycam)
be safe out there.
joel (woodycam)
ken_climb
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
RX1 Yooper said:
4Fighter
TY 4 Stroke God
I agree, we've all done it. RX Yooper, was this a well-known bump to the local folks? If so, were there any signs posted? I know of a few spots where people missed corners, and eventually they put up a sign to warn everybody.Excessive speed + unfamiliar trails = dangerous riding conditions.
But even at 55 MPH you can still loose control. Even on trails you know.
We all know the risks, it's a tragedy, but it could have been anyone of us, count your blessings. It's a dangerous activity period.
BE ALERT & CAREFUL OUT THERE AND NEVER MIX ALCOHOL W/DRIVING A SNOWMOBILING. THAT'S EVEN DUMBER :evil: :!:
