Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Apr 29/02) - A teenage girl is dead following a horrific snowmobile accident in Baker Lake April 20.

Cpl. Jamie Zettler of Baker Lake RCMP said police received a report of a snowmobile accident at about 2:30 a.m.

RCMP and nursing staff arrived soon after at the accident scene on the road near the Baker Lake Contracting Services office.

Erin Carruthers-Shaw, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Carruthers-Shaw is believed to have been a passenger on the machine, which hit a garbage can, veered sharply and struck a utility pole.

Two others on the snowmobile, Jocelyn Pupik and Paul Tuluqtuq, survived the accident.

Tuluqtuq was flown to Churchill, Man., for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.

Pupik was treated at the Baker Lake nursing station and released.

Zettler would neither confirm nor deny if alcohol was a contributing factor in the fatal accident.

"We can't release much information because we're still investigating the accident," Zettler said.

"We expect to have the results back during the next three to four weeks."

Zettler also would not comment on whether charges are pending in connection with the fatal accident.

"I would rather wait until all our results come back, rather than release any information that could come back as false or misleading."

A memorial service was held for the teenager last week in Baker Lake and Zettler said the community is in a sombre mood following the fatality.

"Obviously, it's a very difficult time for friends and family members of those involved in the accident. The hamlet is grieving the loss of a young community member."