Dead body found along snowmobile trail near Little Falls

LITTLE FALLS, Jan 10, 2010-- Witnesses say and troopers confirmed a dead body was discovered just before noon along a snowmobile trail near Little Falls, in Herkimer County.

Snowmobilers traveling on the Middleville-Little Falls trail Number 43 spotted the body lying along the trail just after 12 noon on Sunday, near the Ice House Tavern 2167 State Route 169 Little Falls.

State Police responded at about 12:10 p.m. and identified the man as Kevin G. Gullis, 36,  of 201 E. German Street, Herkimer. Police say Gullis was headed southbound on the trail, just off of 597 Shells Bush Road, operating a 2001 Artic Cat when he failed to negotiate a curve on the trail.

People who happened to see the body during a sled ride saw a snowmobile about 15 feet from the body and saw farming equipment nearby. This led one witness to believe that the snowmobile might have collided with the equipment. Police confirmed Gullis hit a hay wagon, causing him to be ejected from the sled.

It's not yet known how long the man's body had been at the scene. Herkimer County Coroner Daniel Enea did say that an autopsy was scheduled at Little Falls Hospital at 7 a.m. Monday. More details about Gullis' death would be known afterward.

State Police were providing limited details about the incident Sunday afternoon.

Gullis was pronounced dead at the scene by Enea and taken to LFH.

The investigation is continuing at this time.

Check back with Utica Daily News later for details.