Kitchener woman injured in snowmobile crash

KITCHENER — When Justin Gomes got up after being thrown from a snowmobile and saw his wife; he was stunned.

“It was the worst thing I have ever seen,” Gomes said Tuesday.

He and his wife Kimberly were snowmobiling near Christner Road in Wilmot Township, outside of New Hamburg, on Dec. 27 when she lost control of their sled and hit a tree.

She had a severe laceration on her leg and there was blood coming from her mouth.

She was airlifted to Hamilton General Hospital.

Her husband said his wife is in stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit, and breathing with the help of a trachea.

She has multiple fractures in her face and jaw and will require oral surgery.

The family has started a Gofundme page https://www.gofundme.com/Kimsdentalfund to assist with dental surgery. So far, about $2,200 has been raised.

Justin said recovery will be a long and arduous process.

The Kitchener couple was using a friend’s snowmobile and they were on private property.

Justin, a passenger on the snowmobile, wasn’t seriously hurt.

Their daughters, 11 and four, were with them that day tobogganing.

The couple were wearing helmets and Justin believes the helmet saved his wife’s life.

Ontario Provincial Police warn snowmobilers to take extra caution; crashes can be deadly.

Last Thursday, a 16-year-old teen from Alma died when the snowmobile he was driving also hit a tree. He was travelling with a group of other snowmobilers.

That crash occurred near Elmvale, about 30 kilometres northwest of Barrie, say Southern Georgian Bay OPP.

Police say speed and inexperience may have been factors, while alcohol is not believed to be factor in the crash.

Staff Sgt. Mike Hinsperger, head of traffic for Waterloo Regional Police, said riders must stay off trails that are not open and only travel on them once they are opened by snowmobile clubs.

Many are still closed and will open once more snow has fallen.

Hinsperger said police receive complaints from property owners who complain about snowmobilers going into areas they shouldn’t be.

Hinsperger reminds snowmobilers to have a valid driver’s licence and wear proper equipment.

Ride with others and obey the speed limit, he said.

Police also conduct RIDE checks on snowmobile trails.