Snowmobile Fatalities Lake Dunmore

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE
RUTLANDBARRACKS

** PRESS RELEASE **

DATE OF RELEASE: January 9, 2010
INCIDENT: Snowmobile Fatalities / multiple snowmobiles through the ice at Lake Dunmore

CASE #: 10C200090
INVESTIGATOR: Lt. Tim Oliver – “C” Troop BCI Commander

DATE & TIME OF INCIDENT: January 9, 2010 at approximately 1211 hours
LOCATION: Lake Dunmore, access off of West Shore Road in Salisbury

VICTIMS:
Kevin Flynn-50 years old - DECEASED
Whiting, VT

Carrie L. Flynn-24 years old - DECEASED
Whiting, VT

Bryanna Popp-3 years old - DECEASED
Brandon, VT

SURVIVED: Terry Flynn-47 years old – SURVIVED
Whiting, VT

SURVIVED: Jeremiah Popp-6 years old - SURVIVED
Brandon, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On 01.09.10 at approximately 1211 hours, the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks received a call advising that several snowmobiles had gone through the ice on Lake Dunmore. Addison County Deputy Sheriff Oscar Gardner arrived on scene and attempted to help after observing multiple victims in the water.

It was learned that 3 snowmobiles with 2 occupants on each sled (one adult and one child per sled), had been traveling together prior to this incident. The first two sleds went through the ice and when the 3rd sled started to go in, the operator, Terry Flynn, was able to push her rear passenger, a 4-year old child, to safety. The 4 occupants of the first two sleds, Kevin Flynn, Carrie Flynn, Bryanna Popp and Jeremiah Popp, went into the water, as well as Terry Flynn, the operator of the 3rd sled. Middlebury Rescue personnel and Salisbury Fire Department personnel were able to retrieve everyone from the water. Three of the snowmobilers were pronounced dead at Porter Hospital. Kevin Flynn is the father of Carrie and the grandfather of Bryanna. Kevin's wife, Terry, was operating the last sled in line.

Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Steven Shapiro, ordered that the victims be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington for autopsies.

The Vermont State Police has contacted the local snowmobile club and requested that they post warnings on the VAST trails near the scene. The State Police highly caution people to stay away from this area and to also stay off of any lake that they are unfamiliar with and do not know the current ice conditions.