On Saturday February 13th, 2021 just after 2:30 p.m. Emergency Services personnel attended 11th Street East at 1st Avenue East, Owen Sound, in relation to a snowmobile which had left the roadway and was on the ice of the inner harbour.

The investigation revealed that the 17year old Monkton, Ontario resident had been operating a 2012 Skidoo, southbound along 1st Avenue East. The driver rode up over a snowbank in order to leave the roadway, believing that he could cross the inner harbour and did not realize that there was a significant drop. The snowmobile sustained moderate damage and was removed from the ice of the inner harbour by a tow truck. The teenage male was extremely fortunate not to have been injured during this incident.

The driver, as well as another youth that was operating a snowmobile with him, were charged with Operate a Motorized Snow Vehicle in the Prohibited Downtown Area, under the City of Owen Sound By-Law. As a result, they each were issued a $240.00 fine.

Police would like to remind the public that with the increase in snowfall and the opening of the trails in the area, there has been a major increase in the number of snowmobilers. The roads within the City of Owen Sound that can be used by snowmobiles are very limited. They are prohibited in the downtown core and the major arteries.

The link below has very useful information which includes the City of Owen Sound Snowmobile By-Law map. 

https://owensoundpolice.com/traffic-roads-recreation/snowmobiling

source: OSPS

photo submitted to Owen Sound FF L531 Twitter account