A man reportedly died in a snowmobile incident after attempting to “skip” or skim a snowmobile across open water outside Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada, according to police reports released today. Authorities said two people were attempting to ride a snowmobile across a section of open ocean water when the vehicle sank. One person managed to swim to shore, while the other did not resurface. Search teams later recovered the victim.
Officials stated that emergency responders, volunteer firefighters, and community members launched a search effort by boat after witnesses saw one individual go underwater. The victim, identified by authorities only as a 32-year-old man, was later found near the submerged snowmobile. The investigation remains ongoing, with the coroner’s office reviewing the incident.
The incident has drawn attention to the risks associated with snowmobile activities involving open water and changing ice conditions.