(Rock Valley)– A weekend snowmobile accident has claimed the life of a northwest Iowa man.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says 46-year-old Jim Steenhoven of Rock Rapids was operating a snowmobile Sunday on the Rock River just northeast of Rock Valley when he struck an opening in the ice, throwing him off the machine.
Steenhoven was pronounced dead a short time later.
Authorities say he was alone on the snowmobile, but that he had been operating in a group of other people.
Authorities say Steenhoven was wearing a helmet.
The mishap took place shortly after 4:00 p.m.
