February 23, 2014

Fatal Snowmobile Crash in Farmington

FARMINGTON ? SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23: At 11:09 A.M., The Maine Warden Service investigated a fatal snowmobile crash that occurred on a snowmobile trail in Farmington off the Holly Road. Richard Keith Horton, age 50, of Delran, New Jersey was snowmobiling with two friends when his machine struck a tree on the edge of the trail. Horton was pronounced dead on scene by medical personnel.

Wardens reported that neither speed nor alcohol was contributing factors in this incident however operator inexperience and riding in an unfamiliar were. Horton was operating a borrowed snowmobile. Maine Game Wardens, Farmington Fire & Rescue, State Police Troopers, as well as equipment provided by the Franklin County Sheriff?s Office were on scene assisting with the investigation. The incident remains under investigation and will be reviewed by the Franklin County District Attorney?s Office.

This is Maine?s third snowmobile related fatality this season. The first fatal crash occurred in Byron on January 31. The second fatal crash took place in Dixfield on February 1 on a public way and was investigated by the Maine State Police.

PHILLIPS ? SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2014: At 12:39 PM, the Maine Warden Service investigated a personal injury snowmobiling incident that occurred on a snowmobile trail in Phillips on Interconnecting Trail System (ITS) 89 off Reeds Mill Road. A 23-year-old-male from Lunenburg Massachusetts rolled his snowmobile. The operator was reported unconscious and rescue personnel responded along with Maine Game Wardens. The wardens reported that the male subject had recovered upon arrival and only minor head injury had occurred. Alcohol was not a factor. The wardens reported operator inexperience and oncoming traffic were contributing factors in this incident. No charges were filed.