Snowmobile accident claims a life

Details

Published on Wednesday, March 14, 2018

By Sheila Runions

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An accident some nine miles southeast of Rivers claimed the life of Marty Ramsey of Oak River. Police officers, fire department members and fellow snowmobilers met on Sunday, Mar. 11 at 5:00 p.m. at the scene of the very unhappy event.

Rivers Police chief Bob Futrell says, “It appears he drove over the edge. There is no evidence to suggest speed or alcohol played a factor; that is still undetermined right now [March 13].”

The edge is in reference to a ravine into which he plummeted, some 65 feet below, onto the frozen Little Saskatchewan River. Fresh snow from a storm the week previous made changes in terrain difficult to distinguish. Although rescue personnel worked for 45 minutes to resuscitate him, they were unsuccessful. 

Futrell goes on to say, “The closest reference point I can give you is Road 117 at the intersection of 63N. Then it was out three or four miles from that. There were RCMP officers from Brandon, Souris, Carberry and ourselves.”

Rivers-Daly fire department made use of its sled and toboggan to reach the accident site.

Fire chief Richard Brown says, "We ended up using our own snowmobile and toboggan to get down there, but without the snowmobilers who are on scene, we wouldn’t have been able to find it so easily.”

A group of snowmobilers riding in the area assisted fire fighters in finding the exact location. That area which borders the river is alluring to snowmobilers, who like to explore the varied topography. Because of little snow cover until last week, groomed trailers were not previously made/maintained.

A funeral service for the 29-year-old will be held Sunday, Mar. 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Oak River Memorial Rink. Marty is survived by his wife Kaitlyn, their 18-month-old daughter Halle, parents Cam and Shelley, brother Craig and many extended family and friends.