Smithfield man dies in snowmobile accident

A snowmobile accident Saturday afternoon claimed the life of a 73-year-old Smithfield man.

Franklin County Sheriff Chief Deputy Karen Hatch said Dennis R. Thompson was killed while snowmobiling in the Gibson Lake area, east of Franklin, Idaho.

Hatch said Thompson was climbing a very steep hill, towards the top of a ridge. When he reached the crest, he continued over a steep drop off, hitting a couple of trees and coming to rest, approximately 60-feet below.

Thompson was riding with other family members in the area. After the accident, they started CPR and called 911.

Hatch said sheriff’s deputies and search and rescue crews responded to the scene. When they arrived, it was determined that Thompson had passed away. Search and Rescue units from the Cache County Sheriff’s Office were also paged until it was determined CPR and rescue efforts were unsuccessful.

The Gibson Lakes are located in the Franklin Basin area. The accident was reported at 12:53 p.m.

Funeral services are being arranged.

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