Fatal Groomer Accident: More Tragedy on the U.P. Trails – A young Schoolcraft County man died Thursday during an incident with a groomer – U.P. snowmobile season started with tragedy – and recovered until now

URGENT U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 1-19-17 11 p.m. URGENT URGENT More Tragedy on the U.P. Trails – A young Schoolcraft County man died today working/repairing a groomer – U.P. snowmobile season started with tragedy – and recovered til now

A snowmobile trail groomer – who loved his job – was killed in Schoolcraft County Thursday during a freak groomer accident in a groomer’s barn in Seney

After tragic start, then great conditions, this Upper Peninsula snowmobile season continues to change lives and break hearts – A painful season in all corners of the U.P.

Remembering – Tyler Barker – a Schoolcraft County trail groomer with a heart of gold – who died today way before his time (below see the groomer photo he recently posted, also a video of the young man two years ago enjoying summer with his friends)

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Seney, MI) – A young snowmobile trail groomer – who was thrilled by his job – was killed Thursday during a freak accident involving a groomer.

The victim has been identified by other groomers and family friends online. Those posts identified the victim as Tyler Barker, in his 20s. Tyler is the son of John and Marcy Barker of Germfask, MI. The victim is survived by his parents, a brother, John Barker; and a sister.

There is a lot of conflicting information on what exactly happened that caused Barker to become so seriously injured by a groomer. Numerous sources say he was pinned – but others who claim to know refuse to comment.

Tyler Barker graduated from the Manistique High School class of 2014, according to his Facebook page that explains his love for groomers and enjoying life. The accident reportedly happened Thursday afternoon near Seney, MI in Schoolcraft County. Some online comments to this story say the incident happened inside a groomer’s barn.

For 30 years, Schoolcraft County is one of the most secretive places – not revealing many things that happened – and that is true with this story.

U.P. Breaking News was told the accident happened Thursday afternoon – along or near – a snowmobile trail. Presumably this groomers barn is near a snowmobile trail (however no officials have commented – and some who claim to know say the groomer’s barn is not near a trail).
U.P. Breaking News would like to report exactly what happened – however numerous online comments from people who claim to know – do not shed any light on this terrible incident.  Plus Schoolcraft County officials never return phone calls only adding to rumors people are spreading. Even those who claim to know have varying accounts – as some say it happened in the barn and others say outside but not near a trail.

By all accounts, the paramedics/EMTs/First Responders did everything they could to save Tyler Barker – including CPR all the way to M-28 in Marquette County – where the victim was transferred to an U.P. Health System – Marquette ambulance with advanced life support.

This photo was posted by Tyler Barker on January 13, 2017 – less than a week before his terrible accident Thurs., Jan. 18, 2017 (further down is a video he posted):

The young man “was severely injured this afternoon in Seney,” said one of the condolences.

DNR photo of trailer groomer wreck in Luce County during 2016-2017 Christmas and New Year holidays when U.P. trail conditions were soft and melting

Officials have not put out a news release. Several sources say Tyler Barker was rushed by Luce County EMS to Marquette. However, his injuries were too serious and he died at U.P. Health System – Marquette.

Members of the Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association tonight are said to be in shock and mourning the loss of Tyler Barker.

Tyler Barker on Facebook:

• Studied at Manistique High School
• Went to Manistique High School
• Lives in Germfask, Michigan

• From Germfask, Michigan

  Posted this video in 2014:

  https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftyler.barker.188%2Fvideos%2Fvb.100001451742797%2F692386817486370%2F%3Ftype%3D3&show_text=0&width=400

Several tragic accidents in Luce County – and other areas of the U.P. – over the Christmas and New Year holidays that seriously injured several people as trail conditions had deteriorated due to unseasonably warm weather. Those incidents caused statewide reaction from snowmobilers.

Since cold returned, trail conditions improved drastically. However, the U.P. has had another spell of warm weather. So beware of all trail conditions as warmer weather conditions that can make snow and the trails soft.

Ice Hell on the Trail Updated – Deadly Ice Chuck in Luce County: Numerous Snowmobiles Crash, Drivers Hurt – one seriously – as sleds slam into ice chuck on long straight away

The Luce County ice chunk that changed lives

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director / 1-906-273-2433

(Newberry, MI) – An unexpected and deadly ice chunk – sticking up on the trail  – caused numerous snowmobile accidents near Newberry over the New Year’s holiday – including seriously injuring a 25-year-old Bedford, MI man.

“There was a big ice chunk that a groomer flipped over on a long straight away,” said dairy farmer Eric Bleich, 43, of Hudson, MI, who has a vacation home in the Newberry area of the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan and often visits to snowmobile.

“There should have been a warning or signs,” he said, adding that sledders are not trying to bash the snowmobile groomers – but just explaining what happened.

The chunk apparently caused at least three crashes on New Years Day – and reportedly a wreck the night before.

Sledders are questioning why a groomer who found the ice chunk and even moved it – did not fill out an urgent incident report – or warning.

Apparently the Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association (TASA) – usually does a pretty good job grooming and maintaining trails.  That section of the trail is wide and long. U.P. Breaking News is attempting to reach a TASA official.

http://www.TASATrails.com

“There were no markers, no signs,” said Bleich, a snowmobiler who crashed along with his buddy about 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day. One hour later and a horrible crash shut down the trail.

“It was where you would never expect there to be a bump,” he said.

Bleich said it appeared the groomer operator tried to fix it.

“He lifted it up to clear it,” said Bleich, explaining this part of the trail has a tiny stream running beneath it – causing the ice to form – and break. “But he didn’t report it.”

Snowmobilers are are saying it is not clear how long the ice chunk had been on the trial. Possibly since New Year’s Eve when it is said a girl crashed her sled but was not seriously hurt.

Dairy farmer Eric Bleich is lucky to be able to hold his loved ones

Bleich slammed into the ice chunk about 11 a.m. Monday on Trail 45 while heading northbound just in front of a friend, construction worker David Marry, 43, of Hudson, MI – south of Lansing.

Bleich admits he was traveling “at least 70 miles per hour” because he was on a four-mile straight stretch of normally good trail.

“I was going faster than I should,” he said, acknowledging he cheated death. “I was thrown about 60 yards” adding he is lucky that he did not hit trees like the serious accident that happened about an hour later. “I am pretty sore and banged up.”

Marry’s sled then slammed into the chunk, but he was fortunate not to get badly injured.

Both of their snowmobiles were damaged.

“My sled is messed up,” Bleich said.

Logger Roger and Deb Metcalf, the injured Bleich and “four of my buddies” as they were walking out of the trail- and took them to the hospital. The rest of the group witnessed the crash. It was about two miles to the nearest road.

“I called him (Metcalf),” said Bleich, who said the Metcalf’s are friends and run a logging business in the Newberry area.

Bleich was treated and released from the Helen Newberry Joy Hospital.

Bleich said many sledders do not understand why the chunk of ice was left on the trail for an unknown period of time. The groomer should have reported it when he “got back to the barn,” Bleich said.

Then the unthinkable – another sled – traveling about 55 miles per hour – slammed into that chunk – sending the 25-year-old rider into trees – and causing severe head and leg injuries.

The man was airlifted to Marquette last night by a chopper from Valley Med Flight.

The victim, who name has yet to be made public, is in serious condition at U.P. Health System – Marquette.

However we have learned a little bit more about this 25-year-old Bedford unidentified man – from Monroe County – who is recovering at the Marquette hospital.

“He broke his Femur and cracked his skull with a brain bleed,” said a friend.

“He was responsive, went through surgery to fix his broken leg and is being sedated until the swelling in his brain goes down. “

The friend said everyone the man knows in Monroe County is pulling for his life and praying.

“Wishing him best of luck from down state,” the friend said, in a comment to this story.