Crime & Safety
Coyote In The Path Of Snowmobiler Leads To Crash With Injuries
A 66-year-old Washington man was flown to Concord Hospital with injuries sustained by DHART, where he is expected to recover.
WASHINGTON, NH — A local man was airlifted to Concord Hospital on Friday afternoon following a snowmobile accident triggered by an encounter with wildlife in Pillsbury State Park.
On Friday, at approximately 12:40 p.m., emergency crews responded to a call on the Halfmoon Pond snowmobile trail, where Steven Valle, 66, of Washington, had crashed after striking a stone wall.
The accident occurred roughly three miles from the nearest road, creating a logistical challenge for first responders. To reach the injured man, Washington Fire-Rescue deployed UTVs to transport personnel and medical equipment deep into the park.
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A multi-agency team coordinated the rescue, including:
Washington Fire-Rescue
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New London Hospital EMS
New Hampshire Fish and Game
Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DHART)
Valle, who sustained serious injuries to both his leg and arm, was stabilized on-site before being transported via UTV back to an awaiting ambulance. From there, he was transferred to a DHART helicopter for a flight to Concord Hospital.
An investigation by New Hampshire Fish and Game revealed that the crash was not caused by speed or mechanical failure, but by a sudden obstacle.
According to officials, Valle was traveling along the trail when a coyote suddenly appeared in his path. In an effort to avoid hitting the animal, Valle swerved sharply, which caused his snowmobile to collide with a stone wall.
"Evidence at the scene and witness statements confirmed that the operator was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision with the coyote," investigators noted.
