12-year-old snowmobiler slams into tree and needs helicopter rescue, Utah officials say

A 12-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital after crashing his snowmobile into a tree, Utah officials told news outlets.

The Cache County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue crew was called around 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 to Hardware Ranch, according to FOX 13.

McClatchy News reached out to the search and rescue team on Jan. 9 and was awaiting a response.

Officials told KSL the boy was out with his family in the remote area when the crash happened.

The boy was riding a snowmobile when he “went off an edge” and hit a tree, according to KUTV.

Officials told FOX 13 that the boy was airlifted off the mountain with a hoist via Life Flight helicopter and taken to the hospital around 5 p.m.

The boy had chest injuries and is in stable condition, according to the outlet.

Hardware Ranch is state-owned land that is popular for hiking, elk viewing and other outdoor activities, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Cache County is about 90 miles northeast of Salt Lake City.

This story was originally published January 9, 2023 at 8:43 AM with the headline "12-year-old snowmobiler slams into tree and needs helicopter rescue, Utah officials say."