Maine Warden Service Reports Three Fatal Snowmobile Crashes this Weekend
OutdoorHub 01.22.12
The Maine Warden Service is emphasizing the need to snowmobile safely after a weekend involving three fatal crashes and other crashes involving injuries and property damage. Game Warden Major Greg Sanborn states that “all snowmobile operators must practice good judgment and common sense while snowmobiling. As always, never drive beyond the capabilities of you or your machine and never drink and drive. Always tell someone where you plan to ride and when you will return. Ice conditions across Maine remain inconsistent and dangerous and the lack of snow has made for poor trail conditions for the majority of the State.”
As standard procedure, all the cases detailed below are being investigated for alcohol involvement as well as other contributing factors.
3 FATAL CRASHES:
- MARIAVILLE, ME: JANUARY 21, 2012 – Matthew Divello, 49, from Mariaville was recovered yesterday Maine Warden Service Divers. Divello was found at approximately 1:45 pm in Graham Lake near Eagle Island in the town of Mariaville. He was in about 10 feet of water. Game Wardens used hovercraft, airboats, and a plane to aid in the search. At around 9:00 am Pilot Charlie Later and Warden Dave Simmons spotted a snowmobile helmet in the ice near Eagle Island. The Maine Warden Service Dive team was activated and was able to locate Divello within minutes of entering the icy water. Maine Warden Service was assisted by Mariaville Fire Department, Waltham Fire Department, LifeFlight, and the Maine Forest Service.
- DALLAS PLANTATION, ME: JANUARY 21, 2012 – Odias Bachelder, 61, of Lang Township was killed at approximately 5:20 pm on Interconnecting Trail System (ITS) 89 in Dallas Plantation when his snowmobile left the trail and he was ejected. The victim was wearing a helmet. He died immediately at the scene from apparent blunt force trauma. He was found by two snowmobiling companions who were following him. They were traveling to Rangeley to observe the Rangeley “Snodeo” snowmobile parade at the time.
- LEE, ME: JANUARY 21, 2012 – Mark Roux, 56, of Lee was killed while operating his 2007 Yamaha snowmobile on Bill Green Pond in Lee at approximately 11:45 pm when he crashed into a heavily wooded section of the shoreline. Mr. Roux was pronounced dead while in route to Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln. Mr. Roux was wearing a helmet. The snowmobile was destroyed in the accident. Mr. Roux was riding with his son, Paul Roux of Auburn. The crash remains under investigation.
The above incidents make for a total of three fatal snowmobile crashes this season in Maine.
OTHER CRASHES INVOLVING INJURY:
- T4R8, ME: JANUARY, 21 2012 – Tyler Helsor, 23 of Lincoln was injured on Saturday while snowmobiling At approximately 2:00 pm two sleds travelling in the opposite direction collided on Interconnecting Trail System (ITS) 85 in T4R8 near Bowlin Pond Camps. Helsor received serious injuries including a broken right femur. Mr. Helsor was transported to Millinocket Regional Hospital by Patten Ambulance. The operator of the other snowmobile was uninjured. The two snowmobiles met on the crest of a hill. When the sleds struck, Helsor was thrown from his sled. Both snowmobiles received minor damage. Cause of the accident is still under investigation.
- MEDWAY, ME: JANUARY 21, 2012 – January 21, 2012 – Richard Lee (40) of Medway received a minor shoulder injury when he flipped his sled while climbing a snow bank in his yard. He was treated at the ER at Millinocket Regional Hospital.
- MONSON, ME: JANUARY 21, 2012 – Evan Bergeron (34) DOB 03-03-1977 of Sanford, Maine, left a camp that he was staying at on Lake Hebron in Monson at 11:20 pm. When he did not return, the camp owner searched briefly and then called Warden Service. Wardens responded and searched the lake, roads, and camps around the lake. Conditions were extremely cold with temperatures below zero. Warden Service was assisted by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department and several local volunteers. The search continued throughout the night and Bergeron was located around 07:30 am by a local resident off of Pleasant Street in Monson. The initial investigation determined that he was operating on Pleasant Street when he failed to negotiate a right hand corner in the road. He left the road and traveled down over a steep embankment. Bergeron was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor by LifeFlight. The extent of Bergeron’s injuries are unknown at this time but they are believed to be serious.
- SHAPLEIGH, ME: JANUARY 22, 2012 – Paul Rumery (36), DOB 08-07-1975 of Sanford, was operating a snowmobile at approximately 12:00 pm in Shapleigh along an embankment. He lost control of his machine and it rolled over on top of him several times. Rumery was riding with friends and they were able to help him. It is likely that Rumery sustained broken ribs from the crash. Rumery was transported to Maine Medial Center in Portland for evaluation.
