BERLIN — A fatal snowmobile accident occurred on Corridor 12 near Androscoggin Valley Hospital on Tuesday, prompting an emergency response from local authorities.
Berlin Police Officers were the first to arrive at the scene, located a short distance from the hospital’s back parking lot.
They attempted lifesaving measures until Berlin Fire Department and Berlin Ambulance EMS personnel took over.
Despite efforts, the victim’s injuries were too severe, and resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
Two Fish and Game Conservation Officers were dispatched but were significantly far from the scene at the time of the incident.
The victim’s identity is being withheld until the family has been notified.
Preliminary investigations and a statement from the sole witness, who was the passenger on the snowmobile, indicated that the crash occurred as the victim, heading west on Corridor 12, failed to navigate a right-hand turn on the trail.
The snowmobile continued straight, struck a rock, became airborne, and then hit a tree.
The impact caused fatal injuries to the operator and ejected the passenger.
The passenger, who miraculously sustained no physical injuries, was able to call 911, leading to the emergency teams’ swift arrival.
The snowmobile involved was a rental from Northeast Snowmobile and ATV Rentals in Gorham.
The victim had rented it earlier the same day and is believed to have had little to no experience in snowmobiling.
Authorities have indicated that speed and inexperience seem to be the main contributing factors to the tragedy.
The investigation into the crash is currently ongoing.
