CRYSTAL FALLS - Four people were hurt in three separate snowmobile crashes investigated Saturday by the Iron County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said the first crash was reported at 1:05 p.m. from the Snowmobile Hill Climb event in Caspian. Police said a competitor was attempting to climb the hill when the throttle stuck open on the snowmobile he was operating.
The driver of the sled fell from the snowmobile, which then careened into a group of spectators. A tether device designed to shut the snowmobile off when the operator fell from the machine failed after becoming detached from the driver.
Two people suffered leg injuries and were taken by ambulance to Northstar Health System in Iron River. No further information was available on the condition reports of the injured individuals. Police did not release their names, nor the name of the snowmobile driver.
In the second crash, which was reported at about 1:40 p.m., Chris List, 39, of Iron Mountain, was driving a snowmobile on the Michigamme Reservoir when he struck an embankment, police said. List was taken by Star Ambulance to the Dickinson County Hospital to receive treatment for injuries, according to police. Hospital staff had no updated information available today on List's condition.
The third crash was reported at 6:01 p.m. A snowmobile operated by Jeffery Masley, 43, of Elk River, Minn., was traveling north on Trail No. 113, just entering the city of Crystal Falls.
Police said Masley failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into trees. Masley was removed from the scene by sheriff's deputies and firemen from the Crystal Falls Fire Department.
He was transported by ambulance to the Northstar Hospital in Iron River. No further information was available on his condition by press time today. Iron County Search and Rescue personnel assisted at the scene.
John Pepin can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206.
