Six people died in a snowmobile crash in Italy after the snowmobile and a sled veered off the ski slope, slammed into a barrier and landed in a ditch. Two others were injured in the incident.
A group of Russian tourists were riding the snowmobile with a sled dagging behind on Mount Cermis in northeast Italy when the accident occurred on Friday. Rescuers arrived on the scene and found six people dead. The four men and two women who died were tourists and the two who were injured are Russians who work in Italy.
Having a snowmobile pull people on a sled was a "very heavy load," Cavalese Mayor Silvano Welponer said, according to the Associated Press. "You have to know what you are doing and have the experience" to handle that, he continued. The slope that they were on is very steep and recommended for highly experienced skiers.
It is believed that the tourists were being reckless and the surviving driver was even tested to determine if he was drunk. The snowmobile with the sled veeredoff the slop at a curve and hit a barrier before flying through the air and landing in a ravine.
According to AP, the slope may have been unlit at the tine and Italian news sources says it may have even been closed fr the day and only staff were allowed to have ride on it. It is believed that the Russians were dining at the top of the slope and they were on their way back to their hotel when they crashed.
The crash may have been caused due to the snowmobile moving at excessive speed but it may have also been a mechanical issue.
Italian prosecutors are deciding if a manslaughter charge can be filed in this incident.
An entertaining event was set to take place at the Val di Fiemme ski resort on Saturday in preparation for the World Cup cross-country ski competition, but the celebrations were cancelled due to the incident.
This isn't the first time a deadly accident occurred at the Mount Cermis. In 1998, 20 people were killed when a U.S. Marine get accidentally sliced a ski lift cable when it was flying low above the mountain. In 1976 another ski lift cable broke, killing 42 people.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
