Merrifield Man Dies After Crashing Snowmobile Into Tree

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Merrifield man has died after the snowmobile he was operating struck a tree last week.

According to the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office, 49-year-old Richard Rathman was driving the snowmobile on his property on the 1100 block of Half Moon Drive at about 1:30 p.m. Friday.

He lost control and struck a tree, the sheriff's office said. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Authorities said he was airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center. He later died as a result of his injuries.