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Contact: Edie Smith, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Media representatives can receive press releases via e-mail.

Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

February 12, 2011

Madison Man Dies in Snowmobile Incident

Augusta, Maine - A 29-year-old Madison man died Friday night after hitting a broken-down snowmobile trail groomer with his snowmobile on a trail in Madison.

Richard Pepin II, 29, of Madison, was snowmobiling on ITS 87 Friday night when he came over a ridge, traveled a distance and hit the groomer, according to Maine Warden Service Sgt. Chris Simmons.

The groomer is owned by the Abnaki Sno-Riders, Inc., club of Madison. Its operator had placed three orange caution signs in front and in back of the machine, and attached orange tape on poles in front and back of the groomer as indicators that it was not in use, according to MWS Game Warden Tom McKenney. The operator was not at the scene at the time, having been transported off the trail by club members.

Two snowmobilers not riding with Mr. Pepin came upon the scene, located him and called for help. The Maine Warden Service received the call at 10:10 p.m. Friday.

Mr. Pepin was wearing a helmet. Speed was a factor in the incident.

The incident is under investigation.

MWS Game Warden Josh Bubier also responded.

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