February 18, 2019

MDIFW NEWS -- Maine Warden Service Responds to Multiple Snowmobile Incidents Over Holiday Weekend

[Portage Lake, Maine - February 17, 2019] At approximately 630 pm last night a single vehicle snowmobile crash occurred in the town of Portage Lake on ITS 90. The operator a Jennifer McPherson from Sebago Lake area was traveling east when she went off the trail and struck a tree. Family had transported the victim to Dean's Restaurant from the accident location which was approximately one mile away. The Ashland Ambulance transported McPherson to the hospital in Presque Isle. Her injuries were not considered to be life threatening.The Maine Warden Service was assisted by Ashland Ambulance.

[Falmouth, Maine - February 17, 2019] The Maine Warden Service is investigating a snowmobile crash that occurred this morning on Highland Lake in Falmouth. Colin Joyce, age 22 of Westbrook was operating his 2005 Polaris Fusion snowmobile down the lake when he struck a pressure ridge. Joyce and the machine were launched almost 140 feet before contacting the snow and ice surface. Joyce was transported by ambulance to Maine Medical Center in Portland with non-life-threatening injuries. Speed is considered a factor in the crash. Assisting with the investigation at the scene was the Falmouth Police Department.

[Caribou, Maine - February 17, 2019] Yesterday around 1030 am in Caribou on ITS 90 Ben Colomb (09/04/1963) from Waterboro was eastbound when a member of his snowmobiling party, Cindy McGriff (10/10/1965) from North Waterboro ran her snowmobile into the rear of Colomb’s snowmobile while crossing a bridge. Only minor damages to McGriff’s snowmobile. McGriff was treated and released from Cary Medical Center. Colomb was not injured.

[Hebron, Maine- February 17, 2019] On February 17 at roughly 330 pm Sarah Proulx (01/25/1984) of Hebron and Natalie Brooks (01/02/1985) of Mechanic Falls were riding on the same snowmobile together on ITS 89 in Hebron. Proulx was operating the snowmobile for the first time with Brooks as her passenger on the 2015 Skidoo Renegade 900 ACE, both were wearing helmets. Proulx's snowmobile was exiting a field area along the trail and began hitting some ruts in the trail which caused her to lose control and they struck two maple trees, stopping them instantly. Speed, trail condition, and inexperience are three contributing factors to the crash. Proulx and Brooks both have significant leg injuries. The Maine Warden Service was assisted by Hebron Fire & Rescue and Minot Fire & Rescue. PACE ambulance and Life Flight transported victims to the CMMC.

With several snowmobile crashes reported this weekend Maine Game Wardens urge the snowmobiling public to operate at a reasonable and prudent speed, obey all of Maine's snowmobile laws, and be mindful of others using the trail systems.