UTICA – A Utica man is dead after a crash Saturday evening while snowmobiling along the I&M Canal.
According to the Conservation Police, 58-year old Brian M. Kelly was traveling west near the walkway bridge around 6:40 p.m. at a significant speed when he lost control for unknown reasons, and slid north towards a building along the canal brushing against it. Kelly then came into contact with a wooden post, which broke off in the collision. He was found at the scene unresponsive. Utica Fire and EMS arrived and CPR began.
Kelly was taken to IVCH and flown to a hospital in Peoria where he later died, according to Conservation Police Sgt Phillip Wire. Authorities say that there were no witnesses directly of the crash, although others on snowmobiles on the canal had seen the person earlier. The I&M Canal opens for snowmobile use when conditions allow. Friday was the first day it was open this winter. The investigation of the crash is ongoing.
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