Two injured in separate snowmobile accidents involving trees

A 41-year-old male and a 22-year-old male were injured in two separate incidents involving trees on Sawtelle Peak Sunday.

Around 3:15 p.m., Fremont County Search & Rescue (FCSAR) responded to the first report of an injured snowmobiler on the east side of Sawtelle peak.

FCSAR reports a 41 year-old male from Garettson, SD was riding with a group of snowmobilers when he hit a tree.

Officials said his major complaint was hip and back pain.

A member of his party met the rescuers on the Sawtelle Peak Road and led them to the injured individual.

He was air evacuated to the hospital, and FCSAR said the extent of his injuries is unknown.

At the same time Sunday afternoon, Fremont County Sheriff’s dispatch informed FCSAR Commander Justin Liebert of another snowmobiler hitting a tree about one mile North East of the first accident on Sawtelle Peak.

Liebert contacted the second snowmobiler via cell phone. The 22-year-old male from Rigby said he was alright, had built a snow cave and could wait until the other rescue was over.

This snowmobiler was riding with two friends when he hit a tree, damaging the A-arm on his snowmobile FCSAR reports.

When rescue crews reached him at 6:30 p.m., crews found the snowmobiler’s friends had abandoned him.

The male was concerned he might have a concussion, and it took rescuers three and a half hours to navigate a safe route down off of the mountain.

The 22-year-old was transported by private vehicle to the hospital.