Separate snowmobile accidents send 2 men to hospital

Fox Lake Fire Protection District officials say two men were taken to a hospital for treatment for injuries suffered in separate weekend snowmobile mishaps.

Batallion Chief Ed Lescher said crews responded to four calls involving snowmobiles on the Chain O' Lakes from 8 p.m. Friday until about 5 p.m. Saturday.

Lescher said firefighters responded at 8 p.m. Friday to a report of a snowmobiler who went through thin ice on Pistakee Lake after leaving Dockers Restaurant. He said the driver returned to shore in the shallow water and declined medical treatment.

At 2:51 a.m. Saturday, Fox Lake fire crews were sent to a channel leading from East Grand Avenue to Fox Lake, Lescher said. A snowmobiler believed to be traveling too fast struck a pier, causing injury to a passenger who was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, he said.

Firefighters handled an unspecified snowmobile mishap on Pistakee Lake early in the afternoon Saturday, Lescher said. He said no one required medical attention.

Firefighters were sent to Fox Lake near Cranberry Island about 5 p.m. Saturday on a report of a snowmobiler turning over and crashing after striking elevated ice. The man was taken to Condell, Lescher said.

Lescher said Monday constantly changing ice conditions this week will make it dangerous to snowmobile on the Chain.