Participant killed in Nivala snowmobile championship

A participant was killed in an accident during the Snowdrag SM Snowmobile Championship in Nivala, a municipality under Northern Ostrobothnia region on Saturday, on the first day of the two-day event, police said.

The accident took place at about 3:30 p.m. when a snowmobile turned turtle during the race after the driver lost control over it.

The driver was crushed under the snowmobile and died on the spot.

Police, however, did not divulge the detail identity of the driver but said that he was a man of 45 years old.

The organisers suspended the championship following the death of the participant.

The reason behind the accident could not be known.

Police and the Accident Investigation Board are investigating into the accident to find out the reason behind it.