Snowmobile Fatality, Walworth County, WI

[snowdance]

Deadly Snowmobile Crash in Walworth County


Posted Wednesday, February 6, 2013 --- 9:00 a.m.

From the Walworth County Sheriff's Office:

On Tuesday, February 05, 2013, approximately 11:00pm, Walworth County Deputies responded to a report of a snowmobile vs. tree crash on private property in Whitewater Township, Walworth County, WI. This crash occurred at W9215 Hwy 59.

Upon arrival, Deputies and first responders from Whitewater Fire and Rescue found an unresponsive male near a 2002 Yamaha Snowmobile which had struck a tree on the property. The driver, who was not wearing a helmet, was identified as Michael H. Zielinski, age 37, of the Town of Whitewater. He was riding this snowmobile on his property. CPR was performed on this man but these life-saving attempts were unsuccessful and the Walworth County Coroner later pronounced Zielinski dead at the scene.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wardens responded to the scene, which is the normal protocol for a fatality involving a snowmobile or a watercraft vessel.

This crash remains an open, ongoing investigation.

http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines...th-County-190012251.html#.URJw2W0grrE.twitter

 

[xcr440]

The driver, who was not wearing a helmet

Um, that will do it.

 

[upbarleyboy]

Certainly a sad situation, and you feel for the family, but no helmet???? Come on...I have a real hard time feeling sorry for somebody when they don't take the necessary steps to minimize the chances of this kind of stuff happening. Without knowing all the details, it's impossible to say if a helmet would have saved his life, but I'm betting he would have stood a better chance of surviving if he had one on.

 

[kb97z]

Very sad...very icy conditions down here under the fluff..maybe he saw the snow and couldn't wait to tear through it without first grabbing his helmet..or he was working on it finally got her going ....never know..just a sad sad situation 37 way to young

 

[whitedust]

Had me concerned as I know lots of riders that live in Whitewater but not this poor guy. Im thinking he was working on sled maybe shaking it out & whack!! Really a shame!

 

[tomcat]

I love how people never have sympathy for these kind of things. How many of us have ever jumped on the sled for a quick rip through the yard without putting a helmet on. I did just an hour ago testing a sled. Have you ever driven a couple blocks without a seatbelt? Things can go wrong in a big hurry but you can't bubble wrap yourself with everything you do. I'm guessing if this guy was out trail riding he'd been wearing a helmet. He has my sympathy and condolences to his family.

 

[snoluver1]

I love how people never have sympathy for these kind of things. How many of us have ever jumped on the sled for a quick rip through the yard without putting a helmet on. I did just an hour ago testing a sled. Have you ever driven a couple blocks without a seatbelt? Things can go wrong in a big hurry but you can't bubble wrap yourself with everything you do. I'm guessing if this guy was out trail riding he'd been wearing a helmet. He has my sympathy and condolences to his family.

You mean you don't feel the need to express that "stupid people die"? You don't want to say "he had it coming"? "Maybe it was the groomers fault for not doing a good enough pan job"? "There were signs missing"!! Oh, wait a minute, he was riding "off trail". "He deserved it".


In all seriousness, thank you Tomcat for a refreshing change of pace. You should post more often!

I also feel sympathy, and my condolences go out to the family effected by this tragedy.

 

[FlyingRev]

Very tragic for someone to die at 37 in an accident no matter what the circumstances, whether they had a momentary lapse of safety practice or not.

I am guilty of occasionally taking a sled for short "test" runs without a helmet myself but they are usually very brief and cautious. We don't know the full circumstances to this incident but it is a reminder that things can go wrong unexpectedly and in a hurry. One of the hardest tasks in life is to know when to put the "bubble wrap" on as Tomcat said.

The only reprieve or remote consolation (if that's even possible and I'm not being insentitive to the loss) is if it's learned that the cause of death was not head trauma. I sincerely hope not, for the family/friends sake.

My condolences to the family and friends.

 

[Team Elkhorn]

Very sad. It says it was on his own property. I'm not sure exactly where this happened, but it looks like a rural address. Is it possible it was a farmer using his sled to do his chores? I know lots of farmers that do.

 

[Sno-Bandit Gary]

Mike was a stand up guy. He would be the first person to help someone out. He was not one to go out and tear everything up. He was on his own property. Obviuosly something went horribly wrong. It's amazing how people can be so quick to judge without knowing the circumstances. Keep his family in your prayers.

 

[polarisrider1]

Mike was a stand up guy. He would be the first person to help someone out. He was not one to go out and tear everything up. He was on his own property. Obviuosly something went horribly wrong. It's amazing how people can be so quick to judge without knowing the circumstances. Keep his family in your prayers.

Amen.

 

[chunk06]

I heard that he was working on his sled. Various things could have happened while test riding. Sad to hear and a good reminder to always wear your lid.... even when loading your sleds.

 

[fcat700]

Prayers go out for Mike and his family.

 

[gator800r]

I love how people never have sympathy for these kind of things. How many of us have ever jumped on the sled for a quick rip through the yard without putting a helmet on. I did just an hour ago testing a sled. Have you ever driven a couple blocks without a seatbelt? Things can go wrong in a big hurry but you can't bubble wrap yourself with everything you do. I'm guessing if this guy was out trail riding he'd been wearing a helmet. He has my sympathy and condolences to his family.

I work with one of Mike's family members and all though he didn't know exactly what went wrong, anyone that lives in southern WI and has been snowmobiling for longer then 10 years knows that we don't get a chance to ride our sleds much. Anyone from southern WI that has been riding for more then 10 years also knows that its part of the fun just getting that sled to start and when you finally do get it started for the first time for the season (or anytime after having mechanical problems) putting on a helmet is not the first thing you think of. Once that baby starts you quick keep it running and take a lap. Technology has come a long way and I think people forget that you couldn't always put on your helmet in the house and go out and just turn the key on your sled and expect it to start right up like your car sitting in your garage. My condolences to his family.

 

[legend02]

gator800r,

Very well said.

My condolences to his family also.

 

[Dave_B]

Had me concerned as I know lots of riders that live in Whitewater but not this poor guy. Im thinking he was working on sled maybe shaking it out & whack!! Really a shame!

I just did the same thing around my "neighborhood" to see if I could bring mine back from the dead...Bad post, I guess...

 

[whitedust]

I just did the same thing around my "neighborhood" to see if I could bring mine back from the dead...Bad post, I guess...

I do too sometimes just grooming my trail to the lake or firming up for Xcounrty skis not the smartest thing on my behalf but do it all the time. Stuff happens crying shame IMO.

 

[lenny]

Certainly a sad situation, and you feel for the family, but no helmet???? Come on...I have a real hard time feeling sorry for somebody when they don't take the necessary steps to minimize the chances of this kind of stuff happening. Without knowing all the details, it's impossible to say if a helmet would have saved his life, but I'm betting he would have stood a better chance of surviving if he had one on.

with all due respect, I challenge you to examine your heart on this. Regardless of how, why, whatever, a little compassion and mercy is in order when the WORST possible thing happens,,just something to think about my friend.

 

[anonomoose]

While this is a sad day as is any day a fellow snow-lover meets his maker, we can all take note that though there are few details on this accident and tragedy this post was started for, we should all remember that whether this death could have been prevented or not, a helmet is a must wear thing. A few years ago, there was a death from a fellow who was just loading his sled on a trailer with no helmet. Working on a sled...moving a sled or blowing carbon out are all things best done with a helmet. Leaving without it puts all the marbles on deck.

On a more personal note, many years ago, I had a close personal friend who loved bikes and jumped on his harley for a quick run to the corner and back first ride of the spring. His head hit the curb as he was turning around and he died right there. Helmets save lives. You can still die in a number of other ways, but the next time you jump on the sled, or bike or atv just to..."...." remember that leaving without your helmet could be the last major mistake you make.

I hope his family can be at peace with their thoughts and prayers and family members about to gather for the support they will need in the coming days, weeks and months.

This man was way too young to die and leave everyone he loved behind.

 

[blu2u2]

Very well said anonomoose! I had a high school classmate who died 5 years ago this month on a sled. Riding too fast at night with some liquid courage is not a good thing.