![['The section of the T’Railway Provincial Park located between Pitt (Crushers) Road and just west of Glenwood has been re-opened to snowmobile users. ']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/snowmobiling-3011989.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=format%2Ccompress%2Cenhance)
Goodyear, president of the Western Sno-Riders, was responding to the tragic death of Shannon McDermott, who died in a snowmobiling accident in the Lewis Hills area Tuesday afternoon.
He said the loss a young man’s life was certainly a sad day and offered his condolences to the family of the 21-year-old native of Diamond Cove, near Rose Blanche.
Goodyear said everybody has to keep safety foremost on their minds, so wearing the proper equipment is very important. He also feels it’s important for sledders to realize the power of today’s machines and to avoid hitting the snow when conditions are less than ideal.
Mr. McDermott, according to a family member, was riding with a few of his buddies when his machine hit a rock and he flipped over the handle bars. Mr. McDermott died Wednesday from internal injuries involving blunt-force trauma to the chest he sustained in the accident.
“The rocks are just under the snow buried under a little bit of powder and they can do some severe damage to both the machine and to a person themselves, obviously,” Goodyear said.
He offered up some words of advice in hopes of not having another family having to deal with a tragic loss.
“Slow down and don’t take so many risks,” he said.
“If you are unfamiliar with the area ... take your time going through the woods,” he added. “The faster you are going, the more damage you’re going to do yourself and the machine.”
Twitter: @WS_SportsDesk
