Two machines in Labrador exploded this past week, Bombardier Recreational Products is investigating why two of its snow machines exploded in a small Labrador community this week, burning a man in one incident.
Sonny Williams was on his Bombardier snowmobile when it exploded earlier this week.
(Courtesy of Sonny Williams)
"These are the first incidents that we [have heard] of this kind," said Johanne Denault, manager of communications with Bombardier Recreational Products.
"We will be doing an investigation, but in the meantime, we don't have any other problems, to say that there is danger."
The two Bombardier machines, both Skandic Super Wide models, exploded within two days earlier this week.
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Sonny Williams, who bought a new sled in November, said his problems started Monday after his machine idled for about 10 minutes.
Sonny Williams was treated in hospital in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for burns to his face, a leg and a finger.
(CBC)
" sat on the seat and pressed the throttle, [and] she exploded," Williams said.
"There was a big ball of fire and all you could see in front of me and around me was fire."
Williams was treated in hospital in Happy Valley-Goose Bay after receiving burns to a leg, a finger and his face.
Escapes injury
Bruce Pardy encountered a similar explosion on Tuesday. He said his machine also idled for about 10 minutes, and then exploded as he was leaving his house.
Pardy, who escaped injury, described flames shooting about seven metres into the air.
Both machines were built within the last two production years.
The company said about 2,000 Skandic Super Wide machines made within the last two years are in use.
The machines are popular in Labrador communities, where snowmobiles are a prime means of transportation during the winter.
Resident calls for recalls
Charlotte Wolfrey, who also lives in Rigolet, said she is afraid to drive her own Skandic Super Wide sled, because it is the same make as the ones her neighbours bought.
"Bombardier should be doing something, I think, to recall the machines … or at least give us something else to use until they can assure us that our machine is not going to explode," she said.
"Listen, when two of these things happen in the same kind of conditions, two days in a row, there's something similar going on."
Denault, though, said customers should not be worried.
Bombardier said it will take about two weeks to complete its investigation.
Denault said the company has no theory to explain the explosions, although she noted that it had been cold in Rigolet this week, with temperatures as low as -32 C while the machines were being used.
"We eliminate, gradually, problems as we move on to the investigation," she said.
Sonny Williams was on his Bombardier snowmobile when it exploded earlier this week.
(Courtesy of Sonny Williams)
"These are the first incidents that we [have heard] of this kind," said Johanne Denault, manager of communications with Bombardier Recreational Products.
"We will be doing an investigation, but in the meantime, we don't have any other problems, to say that there is danger."
The two Bombardier machines, both Skandic Super Wide models, exploded within two days earlier this week.
Continue Article
Sonny Williams, who bought a new sled in November, said his problems started Monday after his machine idled for about 10 minutes.
Sonny Williams was treated in hospital in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for burns to his face, a leg and a finger.
(CBC)
" sat on the seat and pressed the throttle, [and] she exploded," Williams said.
"There was a big ball of fire and all you could see in front of me and around me was fire."
Williams was treated in hospital in Happy Valley-Goose Bay after receiving burns to a leg, a finger and his face.
Escapes injury
Bruce Pardy encountered a similar explosion on Tuesday. He said his machine also idled for about 10 minutes, and then exploded as he was leaving his house.
Pardy, who escaped injury, described flames shooting about seven metres into the air.
Both machines were built within the last two production years.
The company said about 2,000 Skandic Super Wide machines made within the last two years are in use.
The machines are popular in Labrador communities, where snowmobiles are a prime means of transportation during the winter.
Resident calls for recalls
Charlotte Wolfrey, who also lives in Rigolet, said she is afraid to drive her own Skandic Super Wide sled, because it is the same make as the ones her neighbours bought.
"Bombardier should be doing something, I think, to recall the machines … or at least give us something else to use until they can assure us that our machine is not going to explode," she said.
"Listen, when two of these things happen in the same kind of conditions, two days in a row, there's something similar going on."
Denault, though, said customers should not be worried.
Bombardier said it will take about two weeks to complete its investigation.
Denault said the company has no theory to explain the explosions, although she noted that it had been cold in Rigolet this week, with temperatures as low as -32 C while the machines were being used.
"We eliminate, gradually, problems as we move on to the investigation," she said.
