Snowmobiler Airlifted to Concord Hospital After Multi-Agency Rescue on Halfmoon Pond Trail

Steven Valle, 66, of Washington, New Hampshire, suffered serious injuries after his snowmobile struck a stone wall on the Halfmoon Pond portion of the Pillsbury State Park trail and was flown to Concord Hospital following a multi-agency rescue. New Hampshire Fish and Game investigators tied the crash to a wildlife encounter on the trail.

The crash occurred Friday afternoon, Feb. 13, 2026; Patch reports emergency crews answered the call at approximately 12:40 p.m. New Hampshire Fish and Game, Washington Fire-Rescue, New London Hospital EMS, and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Rapid Response Team were among the agencies that responded to the scene, according to WMUR and local reports.

As reported by WMUR quoting New Hampshire Fish and Game investigators, "After an investigation, it was determined that the driver came upon a coyote in the trail and swerved, causing him to hit a stone wall." Patch and NH Fish and Game further noted the agency's investigation determined the crash was not caused by speed or mechanical failure.

Accounts differ on the exact transfer sequence to Concord Hospital. Patch identifies Dartmouth-Hitchcock Rapid Response Team by its DHART acronym and reports Valle was flown to Concord Hospital and is expected to recover. WMUR states that he "was transported out to a waiting ambulance and taken to Concord Hospital." Both outlets explicitly name Concord Hospital as the receiving facility.

Washington Fire-Rescue and New London Hospital EMS are listed among the local responders who stabilized the scene, while New Hampshire Fish and Game led the crash investigation, according to WMUR. The multi-agency response was also noted in a department post describing coordination between local fire-rescue, EMS, and state wildlife officers.

Officials have not released additional medical details beyond Patch's reporting that Valle is expected to recover. No citations or criminal charges have been mentioned in the available reports. New Hampshire Fish and Game’s formal press text and DHART’s transport log were truncated in some public postings; those agencies can clarify the precise pickup location, whether the helicopter delivered Valle directly to Concord Hospital, and any operational details not yet published.

Residents using Pillsbury State Park trails should note this incident occurred on the Halfmoon Pond snowmobile trail and that wildlife encounters can present sudden hazards, investigators said. Reporters will seek confirmation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, Washington Fire-Rescue, DHART, and Concord Hospital for additional specifics including exact location, transport sequence, and an updated patient status.