NORTON — A snowmobile accident on Trail 105 resulted in minor injuries for a young passenger and the operator on Saturday morning.
At 11 a.m., the Vermont State Police Derby Barracks were alerted to a snowmobile crash involving a child on the groomed VAST trail, located about three miles west of VT-114 in Norton.
Misty Hounshell, 36, of Agawam, Massachusetts, was operating a 2023 Polaris Indy Adventure when she reportedly lost control on an icy patch and veered off the trail.
Hounshell and her 2-year-old passenger, were traveling west on the trail at an estimated speed of 20 mph before the vehicle skidded, went off a bridge, and ended up in a ditch.
The child, who was wearing a helmet and secured with belts, was assessed by emergency personnel and taken to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital (UCVH) in Colebrook, New Hampshire, by 45th Parallel EMS for precautionary reasons.
Responders from the State Game Warden, Beecher Falls Fire Department, and 45th Parallel EMS arrived swiftly at the scene after being picked up by passers-by at the trail crossing.
Several good Samaritans had assisted in moving the parties involved to VT-114 while troopers were en route to the location.
Authorities are considering slick road conditions and operator inexperience as contributing factors to the incident.
No serious injuries are suspected, and no other individuals were reported injured.
The snowmobile sustained minor front-end damage.
