MERRIFIELD — A snowmobiler has died after crashing his sled in Crow Wing County.

Sheriff’s officials say 49-year-old Richard Rathman, of Merrifield, was driving his snowmobile on his property Friday when he lost control and struck a tree. He was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital and later died as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.

Investigators say he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.