Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (May 19/99) - A Rankin Inlet man is dead following a single snowmobile accident this past Saturday, reports the Rankin Inlet detachment of the RCMP.

Const. Dave Doerksen said the detachment is still investigating the death of Edward Burton, 53, which occurred around 9 p.m., about 10 km outside of Rankin.

"Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the accident," said Doerksen. "We're uncertain as to what exactly happened, but it is believed he somehow came off his machine. He was pulling a loaded qamutik and is believed to have been headed out camping at his cabin.

"A loaded qamutik is very heavy and, once it gets going, very difficult to stop. It's believed when he fell from his machine, his qamutik did strike him and probably ran over him."

Burton's two children, aged four and seven, were in his qamutik at the time of the fatality. Doerksen said the two children were not hurt in the accident.

"A helicopter was utilized to fly a doctor and a trauma nurse to the scene to retrieve Mr. Burton and bring him back to the health centre. He was pronounced dead at the health centre shortly after 11 p.m.

"Witness at the scene said he was still conscious after the accident and CPR was initiated by members of the fire department who went to the scene on snowmobile, but his condition continued to deteriorate over a period of time."