Press Releases

June 17, 2008

Maine Warden Service Recovers Body of Missing Boater

Chester – The Maine Warden Service this afternoon recovered the body of an East Millinocket boater missing since last Wednesday night.

The boater, Wayne Crosby, was located by two out-of-state fishermen today at 2:15 p.m. about 300 yards south of the Chester Bridge in Chester. The anglers immediately called law enforcement, and Mr. Crosby was recovered shortly after 4 p.m.

Mr. Crosby was caught up on a log floating on the Penobscot River. He was positively identified by an identification card he had in his jeans' pocket.

His family has been notified.

Mr. Crosby was transported to a Lincoln Funeral Home. The Maine Medical Examiner's Office was contacted, and is expected to view Mr. Crosby's body on Wednesday.

Wayne Crosby was fishing with his brother, Mark, and friend, Gilbert Chaloux Jr., both of East Millinocket, below the Weldon Dam in Mattawamkeag at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, when apparently a freak storm came upon them at approximately the same time the engine on their canoe quit, the survivors told the Maine Warden Service.

Their boat was approximately 20 yards from the falls below the dam, which is located off Route 157. The falls create a reverse hydraulic, and the force from it pulled the boat under the falls and back out again.

Mr. Chaloux was able to get out of the Penobscot River, find a home and call for emergency services. Mr. Mark Crosby was rescued after spending approximately an hour on a small patch of land on the river.

The Maine Warden Service have searched the Penobscot River since Wednesday night. Divers suspended their search efforts Saturday afternoon, and boat and air patrols continued through today.

Anglers were notified that Mr. Wayne Crosby was missing and to be on the look out for him.

"Fortunately the Penobscot River is so busy this time of year with fishermen that they were able to assist us in locating Mr. Crosby," said MWS Sgt. Ronald Dunham. "We appreciate their help in returning Mr. Crosby to his family."

Great Lakes Hydro, operators of the Weldon Dam, lessened the flow of water over the structure to aid in the search. The reduction in water and current levels made the river safer for MWS divers and civilian boaters, including Mr. Mark Crosby, Wayne's brother, to search the river.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

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