ROCKFORD, IA- A North Iowa women dies at the scene, after being run over by a snowmobile.
Saturday afternoon, just south of Rockford and a little more than a mile up this tree line marks the spot of this accident.
Jamie Fox of Greene was driving a snowmobile when she lost control and fell off. She was then hit by another snowmobile who was close behind.
DNR officials say the accident scene was not easy to get to and is still under investigation.
They say Fox was wearing a helmet and they don’t think the snowmobiles were going that fast.
Either way, an area snowmobile club is trying to make this trail a little safer after Saturday’s accident.
Joe Paulus is one of the officers of the Floyd County Snowmobile Club.
After Saturday’s Accident he’s out doing what he can to keep this popular trail safer.
Joe Paulus, VP of Floyd County Groomers Club said, ”we’re remarking some of the trails and we noticed some signage was gone and after the accident we wanted to put up more signs.”
Paulus wants to encourage riders to slow down along this stretch of the trail near Rockford.
Most snowmobiles weigh more than 600 pounds and some can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
It’s not a good combination if riders are trying to avoid hitting something.
Joe Paulus said, “it’s harder to steer than a car and the breaking depends on the snow conditions; if it’s ice or snow.”
DNR Conservation Officer Eric Johnston said Saturday’s wreck was probably a matter of steering.
Johnston said, “I don’t think these people were going that fast, it was more a timing issue and not enough time to get out of the way.”
He says snowmobiles are not toys.
Johnston said, “they’re pretty heavy machines, use caution and good common sense when using them.”
Paulus recommends that riders always carry a few items with them in case of an emergency.
Paulus said, ”we have a spare belt, toe rope, cell phone and you should always have someone ride with you, case something happens.”
Both agree that accidents are bound to happen, but they say taking hills and turns extra slow can help keep riders safer.
Iowa’s DNR says they haven’t seen an unusual amount of snowmobile accidents this winter.
They say compared to other nearby states, Iowa’s number is pretty low.
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