Hi Everyone, my name is Peter and I have “lurked” on these forums for a while. I have thought about making an account, but never got around to it. I wanted to share some news in hopes of helping law enforcement catch these guys, unfortunately this is my first post…
Friday night my girlfriend (Sam) and I headed out to Lake Minnetonka from Wayzata Bay. As many of you know, this is a very busy part of the lake…plenty of people ice fishing, skiing, walking, kite snowboarding (whatever that is called). We walked out toward spirit island, and started getting set up. Everything was done except the tip ups. Sam was sitting in the house while I was outside setting lines up. We fish in a portable hub house (Eskimo Quickfish 3) with reflectors on it. I also use a bright light and keep the windows down so light can be seen from the house. The attached picture shows what this looks like (taken on a different day but included just for reference).
Two snowmobiles came in right toward us going VERY fast – especially for the area they were entering. My first thought was that they might buzz past us. Well, a split second later I knew something was wrong and screamed as loud as I possibly could. The next thing I can remember is running toward the house. As the snowmobile hit, the house was gone instantly and debris flew everywhere. I was in shock. For a moment I thought there was no possible way she could not have been killed. The most shocking part I think was when she stood up from the chair she was sitting in and we ran to each other in complete shock. She was not dead, and did not appear to be badly injured….I couldn’t believe it.
I began screaming at the two on snowmobile–they were sitting about 100 yards from us. I started to run to them, but Sam grabbed me and said her foot hurt really bad. I could not believe they were just sitting there…not helping…appearing to debate what to do. After calling 911 I took a quick video of the mess (I wanted to document something in case it could possibly help), then put Sam in the Smitty sled and headed back to shore to be there to meet the ambulance that would waiting for us.
The snowmobiles took off towards Wayzata bay and disappeared. It was such a terrible feeling to see them flee the scene and leave us there. They had no idea what happened, and what could have happened.
It was a MIRACLE that the snowmobile went through the house on the side she was not sitting on (where I was sitting a minute before!). She ended up with a bad contusion to her shin/foot and a bruised bone, but it could have been SO much worse. We are very very thankful.
I am sharing this because I am seeking information from anyone on this incident, to please report this to the Hennepin County Sheriffs Water Patrol (612-596-9880). I really hope these individuals are caught…they know what kind of people they are. I also want people to understand they are responsible for their own safety, I have thought about something like this, but always thought “well that wont happen to me”. With reflectors on the hub house, and lit up windows….I thought I had taken enough precaution.
There are so many people that use this Lake that are great people, its these few that ruin the experience for us all. Please be careful out there.
