Snowmobile Crash Victim Airlifted to Hospital in Northstar Township, St. Louis County

A Duluth-area woman suffered serious injuries and was flown to a Duluth-area hospital after a snowmobile crashed while negotiating a sharp corner on a state trail in Northstar Township Saturday afternoon. First responders used a medical sled to move the injured passenger to a nearby road before an air medical helicopter completed the evacuation.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office reported that "Deputies responded at 4:17 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, to a report of a snowmobile crash on a state trail in Northstar Township." "The driver did not require medical attention, but a 37-year-old passenger sustained serious injuries." Emergency crews moved the passenger by medical sled to Highway 44 (Pequaywan Lake Road), a trip that required traveling a "considerable distance," according to the sheriff’s office.

At Highway 44 the passenger was loaded into a Life Link III Air Medical helicopter and flown to an unspecified Duluth-area hospital. Highway 44 in Northstar Township was closed for more than an hour to accommodate air medical response as crews staged the evacuation and transferred the patient to the aircraft.

Multiple local units responded to the scene. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office deputies worked with Northstar Township EMS, Pequaywan Township EMS, Mayo Ambulance and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Rescue Squad, with Life Link providing the air transport. Officials have not released the injured woman’s name or further medical details; the sheriff’s office said no additional information on her condition was released at the time.

For local snowmobilers and residents who use the state trail system, the incident underscores two practical concerns: trail hazards at sharp corners and the logistical challenges of remote rescues. The use of a medical sled over a "considerable distance" and an air medical lift highlights how quickly a trail-side injury can become a complex multi-agency operation, and why riders are advised to run in pairs, carry communication devices and be familiar with local trail maps and exit points.

Officials have not reported any suspected impairment, charges, or contributing mechanical failures connected to the crash. Investigators on scene focused on the immediate rescue and transport; the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office may release further details after routine follow-up and any necessary reports are completed.

Residents and trail users should expect occasional temporary closures on Highway 44 (Pequaywan Lake Road) and nearby access points while emergency responses are underway. The sheriff’s office remains the point of contact for updates, and local EMS agencies can provide information about trail safety resources and best practices moving forward.