Snowmobiler found dead in woods in Caledonia



CALEDONIA (WITI) -- DNR officials say a snowmobiler was found dead in the woods on Saturday morning, January 11th.

A DNR warden at the scene told FOX6 News a man riding his snowmobile hit a bump and then flew into a tree.

The DNR warden says the man was not wearing a helmet, and died as a result of injuries suffered.

"Fields last night were extremely icy. It was raining. Visibility was poor. That could have contributed to what occurred here last night," DNR Conservation Warden Juan Gomez said.

DNR officials say the man was middle-aged. His identity and exact age haven't been released.

Family friends say he was in his 50s and was an experienced snowmobiler.

"A family friend went out looking for him this morning after he did not come home and they found him," Gomez said.

Gomez says this is the first snowmobile fatality for the Kenosha, Racine and Walworth area this year -- though he says there have been several accidents.

"Primarily due to not wearing the appropriate safety equipment and also poor conditions on the trails where individuals slid in corners or weren't paying attention, riding too close -- all things that could have been prevented," Gomez said.

Gomez says he thinks a simple choice to wear the right safety gear may have made the difference in this case.

"This individual was not wearing a helmet. A helmet may have saved a life in this situation," Gomez said.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.