Pete Thomas Outdoors

Snowmobiler Caleb Moore, 25, dies a week after Winter X Games crash

Snowmobile rider Caleb Moore, 25, died Thursday morning, exactly one week after being injured in a crash at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo., reports The Denver Post. Moore's death is the first fatality in the 17-year history of the Winter X Games.

Though details on the exact cause of death were not disclosed, family spokeswoman Chelsea Lawson released the following statement on behalf of the Moore family:

"The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for all the prayers and support they have received from all the fans, friends and family around the world that Caleb has inspired.

"They would also like to thank the physicians and medical staff at both Aspen Valley Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Junction for their care and dedication.

"At this time, the family will not be making any other public statements. They continue to decline interviews. Thank you for continuing to respect the family's privacy during this difficult time."

Moore, of Krum, Texas, was injured during the snowmobile freestyle final when he failed to complete a flip and his vehicle's skis clipped the landing, sending Moore flying over the handlebars and face-first into the ramp. His snowmobile then landed on top of him, knocking him unconscious, but Moore eventually walked off the course with assistance and was rushed to Aspen Valley Hospital with a concussion.

While there, doctors discovered bleeding around Moore's heart and had him airlifted to the hospital in Grand Junction for emergency surgery. It was reported that the cardiac injury led to "a secondary complication involving his brain" but further details weren't provided.

-- Kelly Burgess

Image of Caleb Moore at last year's Winter X Games courtesy of Eric Lars Bakke / ESPN Images

Snowmobiler Caleb Moore in critical condition after Winter X Games crash

Snowmobile rider Caleb Moore is in critical condition and clinging to life following a crash Thursday at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo.

"Caleb is not doing good at all," Moore's grandfather, Charles, told The Denver Post on Monday.  "The prognosis is not good at all. It's almost certain he's not going to make it."

Moore, 25, of Krum, Texas, was injured during the snowmobile freestyle final when he failed to complete a flip and his vehicle's skis clipped the landing, sending Moore flying over the handlebars and face-first into the ramp. His snowmobile then landed on top of him, knocking him unconscious, but Moore eventually walked off the course with assistance and was rushed to Aspen Valley Hospital with a concussion.

While there, doctors discovered bleeding around Moore's heart and had him airlifted to the hospital in Grand Junction for emergency surgery Friday. A family spokeswoman said Sunday that the cardiac injury led to "a secondary complication involving his brain" but didn't provide details.

"Caleb is in critical condition and is being closely monitored," family spokeswoman Chelsea Lawson told The Denver Post.

Prayers and well-wishes have been pouring in on Moore's Facebook fan page since the accident.

"The Moores want to express their gratitude to all of Caleb's fans, friends and family for their strong support and ask for continued prayers in the coming days," added Lawson. "The family will not be making any other public statements for the time being. Thank you for respecting the family's privacy during this difficult time."

-- Kelly Burgess

Image of Caleb Moore at last year's Winter X Games courtesy of Eric Lars Bakke / ESPN Images

No gun control for these road crews, which use M60 combat tanks to reduce avalanche threat

A lot of people may not realize that M60 tanks are a very effective means of avalanche control.

Washington state road crews use them to fire live rounds at areas where there is heavy snow accumulation and high avalanche danger.

 

They usually do this between midnight and 6 a.m., out of sight of most people. But last week when conditions became unstable on U.S. 2 near the Stevens Pass summit, they closed the roadway in the afternoon and fired their rounds in broad daylight.

Looks like an effective method and, some might say, a very interesting way to make a living.

--The accompanying footage is via HeraldNet.com. Hat tip to Unofficial Networks

Snowmobiling on thin ice turns to tragedy in Vermont

Snowmobiling in Vermont has been a precarious pastime this season and on Saturday the latest in a spate of fatal accidents claimed the life of a man, his 24-year-old daughter and 3-year-old granddaughter.

The tragedy occurred when three snowmobiles attempting to cross Lake Dunmore broke through the ice, sparking a period of chaos and and ultimately claiming the lives of Kevin Flynn, 50, Carrie Flynn, 24, both of Whiting, Vt., and 3-year-old Bryanna Popp, of Brandon, Vt.

According to the Associated Press, five people plunged into the near-freezing water while a 4-year-old was shoved to safety before the snowmobile he was aboard broke through the ice.

Kevin Flynn's wife, Terry Flynn, and Bryanna's brother, 6-year-old Jeremiah Popp, survived, as did the 4-year-old.

There are no silver linings to this story but the 4-year-old ran for help and that might have helped prevent further loss of life. Foster Provencher of the Salisbury Fire Department helped pull Jeremiah Popp from the water. He and two other rescuers used a ladder, a rake and a rope during the rescue.

"We did what we could do," Provencher told the AP.

The incident underscores the importance of making sure the ice is thick enough to support the weight of snowmobiles and their passengers. The snowmobiles in Saturday's accident broke through the ice in three places.

Since Dec. 24 at least three other people, all women, died in snowmobile accidents in Vermont. Two hit trees and one was struck by another snowmobile.

-- Pete Thomas