Photo by NH FISH AND GAME The wreckage of the snowmobile that crashed into a bob house on Franklin Pierce Lake in the town of Hillsboro on Sunday lies on the ice after the operator was taken from the scene to a local hospital for treatment of what investigators called serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. (Photo by NH FISH AND GAME)

HILLSBORO – A brief, but harrowing series of events that took place Sunday afternoon on Franklin Pierce Lake began, authorities said, when 20-year-old Maine resident Jennie Larson climbed onto an unregistered Arctic Cat to take her first crack at operating a snowmobile.

Things went downhill quickly, according to state Fish and Game Lt. William Boudreau, who described a scenario in which Larson apparently “pinned the throttle” of the snowmobile, causing the machine to take off “at a high rate of speed” across the ice.

Larson, “having never ridden on a snowmobile before, did not know how to operate” the machine, Boudreau said, including how to slow down, stop, or steer it.

As a result, the snowmobile, which was heading south on the ice from the area of Manahan Park, continued its high-speed flight down the ice, Boudreau said.

Within moments the machine was seen headed toward one of the several bob houses ice fishermen had set up at various spots on the ice.

Photo by NH FISH AND GAME A medical crew, using a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) provided by Livingston's Arctic Cat dealership, prepares to transport the Maine woman from the scene of the snowmobile crash in Hillsboro Sunday. (Photo by NH FISH AND GAME)

Boudreau said the snowmobile “crashed, head-on,” into the bob house,” the impact tossing Larson off the machine and into the bob house.

The snowmobile also took flight, landing behind the bob house, Boudreau said. The snowmobile was destroyed, while the bob house suffered heavy damage, he added.

Friends of Larson’s, who were nearby, called 911, summoning fire and rescue teams from Hillsboro and nearby Henniker, along with Hillsboro police and Fish and Game conservation officers, to the scene.

Larson’s injuries, although considered serious, were not believed to be life-threatening, Boudreau said, adding that she was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Medical personnel treated Larson at the scene and prepared her for transport to Concord Hospital.

Photo by NH FISH AND GAME A 20-year-old woman from Maine was injured Sunday when officials say she lost control of a speeding snowmobile and crashed into this bob house on Franklin Pierce Lake in Hillsboro. (Photo by NH FISH AND GAME)

Boudreau said Livingston’s Arctic Cat, a recreational vehicle sales and service shop in Hillsboro, provided a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) that crews used to transport Larson from the crash scene, onto shore and to an awaiting ambulance.

Whether anyone was in the bob house at the time of the crash isn’t known, but no other injuries were reported.

Larson had gotten onto the snowmobile near the boat launch at Manahan Park, an area on the northern shore of Franklin Pierce Lake that is popular with swimmers and boaters in the summer.

Boudreau said that while the circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, “it appears that operator inexperience and speed were the primary contributing factors.”

For more information about laws and safety regarding snowmobiles and other off-road recreational vehicles go to www.ride.nh.gov.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.