Iowa man thrown from fast-moving snowmobile suffers spinal injuries

LEHIGH, IOWA – Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officers responded to a snowmobile crash on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 1:45 p.m., approximately four miles south of Lehigh on the Des Moines River.
Officers believe Timothy Gerdes, 50, of Story City, was traveling 60 to 65 mph when he hit an ice heave, more than three-foot tall, that was hidden by the recent snowfall, causing Gerdes’ snowmobile to go airborne and him to be ejected.
Gerdes was transported to a Fort Dodge hospital and then to a Des Moines hospital for spinal injuries—no update on his current condition. Gerdes was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Information from Iowa DNR
The DNR reminds snowmobilers and others out on Iowa waterways of the dangers of ice heaves caused by the fluctuating water levels due to the freezing, thawing and re-freezing of the snow and ice.
The Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Webster County Emergency Management, Dayton Fire Department, Leigh Fire and Rescue, Stratford Fire and Rescue and Fort Dodge Fire and Rescue assisted the Iowa DNR with the crash.
Humanity Report comment
February 21, 2019 at 11:58 pm
To anonymous and Polaris: It’s called an accident! Have either of you never had one? Show some compassion to a fellow human. Accidents happen! We are put on this earth to show kindness, compassion and humanity. Didn’t your mother ever teach you- if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.
Anonymous Report comment
February 20, 2019 at 8:19 am
Small loss. To bad it doesn’t happen to more of those retards.
Polaris Report comment
February 19, 2019 at 1:03 pm
Another idiot going as fast as he could, oblivious to the dangers of doing so. His helmet saved his head, but he broke his back.
Anonymous Report comment
February 20, 2019 at 6:06 am
Rides a Polaris= I have never gone 60MPH