February 20, 2021

MDIFW NEWS: Massachusetts Man Dies In Snowmobile Crash

MADRID, Maine - Speed appears to be a factor in a snowmobile crash that took the life of a Massachusetts man in Madrid last night.

Ryan Ducharme, age 34 of Spencer, Mass., was traveling on a connector trail on the Beech Hill Road to his camp in Madrid with his brother and two other snowmobilers at approximately 10:30 last night. Shortly before getting to camp, Ducharme's brother noticed that Ryan, who was the last in the group of four, was not behind him.

The brother turned around with his snowmobile to search for him, and found Ryan unresponsive off the trail, with his sled crashed into the trees. He notified 911, and when NorthStar EMS arrived, they pronounced him dead at the scene. An initial investigation appears to show that Ducharme was traveling too fast for the trail conditions when he went off the trail. Ducharme was wearing a helmet, and alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

The Maine Warden Service was assisted by Northstar EMS, Phillips Fire Department and the Franklin Sheriffs Office.

Currently, there is no further information available.