Minnesota has started Snowmobile Safety Awareness Week with 2 tragic fatalities.

Authorities have identified the bodies of the two teenage snowmobilers who went through the ice on Lake Charlotte in Wright County over the weekend.

Adam Patnode and Brad Skafte were both recent graduates of Rockford High School.

Sheriff’s officers located the bodies yesterday afternoon after following tracks leading to open water. The boys were reported missing Saturday night.

Concern over ice conditions on local lakes and rivers along with the 2 fatalities have added significance to Snowmobile Safety Awareness Week which started yesterday in Minnesota.

Captain Mike Hammer, with the Department of Natural Resources, says it is important to keep the machine under control, reduce speeds and never mix alcohol and snowmobiling and he reminds Snowmobilers born after December 31st 1976 that they must have Safety Certification to legally ride in Minnesota.