A Chatham man is in critical condition in a London hospital after his snowmobile collided with a minivan Wednesday night.
Chatham-Kent police report the accident occurred about 5:30 pm. When the 31-year-old man’s snowmobile slammed into the side of a van that was making a turn. The collision happened on Pain Court Line between Bear Line and Winter Line.
The snowmobiler suffered major injuries. He was transported to hospital in Chatham before being airlifted to London and is being treated for life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the van, a 45-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries.
Damage is estimated at $20,000.
Police are still investigating.
Meanwhile, the OPP say five snowmobilers have died already this year in collisions.
Five lives lost already this year with another person in critical condition… horrific. I've been very concerned the past two winters about a snowmobiler in my residential neighbourhood who regularly races through the streets at night. Beyond the speed travelled, this person also travels off the road, in spots where the pavement is cleared, up onto our front yards. Incredibly dangerous for the rider AND the rest of us. If common sense alone doesn't shut down the practice of operating snowmobiles in the town, I wonder what the bylaws are in the city for operating snowmobiles. Every time I see this person race by, I'm thinking it's an accident just waiting to happen.