MARQUETTE — A Northern Michigan University student was injured Saturday in a snowmobile accident in Marquette Township, the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office reported.

The sheriff’s office was called at 2:24 p.m. Saturday after the operator of the snowmobile, a 19-year-old downstate resident, decided to leave Michigan Department of Natural Resources snowmobile trail No. 14 and travel in a prohibited area, the sheriff’s office stated in a news release.

An investigation determined the driver was operating the snowmobile at a high rate of speed and failed to stop, going over a steep embankment with the snowmobile flipping a couple of times.

The 19-year-old was extricated using rope rescue techniques and taken to UP Health System-Marquette with serious injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

The crash remains under investigation. Excessive speed and operating in unfamiliar terrain were contributing factors, the sheriff’s office stated.

Assisting agencies were UP Health System EMS and Marquette Township Fire/Rescue.