Bitterroot Snowmobile Death Reported

A Sunday afternoon snowmobile accident claimed the life of a 73-year-old Hamilton man.

The accident happened in the Upper Rye Creek area near Rooster Comb in the Bitterroot National Forest, according to public affairs officer Tod McKay.

The man had been snowmobiling with friends and became separated. The group found him about a half hour later. He was unconscious and the snowmobile was on top of him. Though CPR was attempted, the man never regained consciousness, according to McKay.

The Ravalli County Search and Rescue, the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office, Forest Service law enforcement and Life Flight assisted in recovering the body.

Authorities say the area is steep, but the accident did not involve an avalanche. The Ravalli County Coroner is investigating the specific cause of death, according to a Bitterroot National Forest news release. The victim’s name has not been released, pending notification of family.