Kate Kolden is part of a snowmobile club that manages about 150 miles of trails in McClean County. In January 2025, the club was on a ‘fun run’ where the group got together and rode from town to town. When the group reached an intersection of Highway 83 and a gravel road, they noticed snowmobile parts scattered across the road and a snowmobile rider crawling along it. Two snowmobilers had fallen behind their group and ended up riding cross-country, off the marked trail. The two riders had not noticed the cut banks of the gravel road and inadvertently launched off the ditch; both riders came off their sleds in the accident.

The first rider appeared to be fine, the second rider was pinned under his snowmobile; he was face down, curled up and unconscious, his helmet had broken and fallen off during the impact. Kate said they made the decision to roll him over even though they were worried about a neck injury. She specifically remembered from her First Aid and CPR training at BNI that if they’re not breathing, they won’t survive, you cannot make dead worse, it’s worth trying to save them even if they have another injury.

Kate and her 18-year-old nephew were able to clear snow from his mouth and nose and monitored his breathing while her husband called 911. A deputy arrived 7 minutes later to help. The group was able to block the ditches to make sure no other riders were injured in the area. While the rider didn’t regain consciousness at the scene, he did survive. After rehab, he can now walk unassisted and is living on his own. Kate calls her decision to roll him over…the right decision. Thank you Kate and all of those at the scene who helped that day!