BOWDOIN — A Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office deputy discovered an overturned propane delivery truck at 1:44 p.m. Friday in front of 179 Dead River Road, near the intersection with Academy Road.
The 2006 Freightliner, owned by G&G Cash Fuel of Litchfield and operated by Michael Gowell, 65, of Litchfield, was lying on its side when the deputy arrived on the scene.
Gowell managed to exit the vehicle without injury.
Authorities closed Dead River Road immediately after the accident, and the Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency issued a RAVE public notification regarding the road closure.
First responders from neighboring agencies, including the Bowdoin Fire/Rescue Department, Richmond Fire Department, Bowdoinham Fire/Rescue, and the Litchfield Fire Department, assisted with the road closure.
The preliminary investigation suggested that the truck veered off the road when its right rear wheel hit the soft shoulder.
Gowell reportedly overcorrected, causing the load to shift and the truck to tip over.
Despite significant damage to the vehicle, the propane tank did not rupture or leak.
Deputy Chad Carleton of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with support from the Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit.
The Maine DEP Hazmat team was also dispatched to assess any potential environmental damage.
AC Towing of West Gardiner successfully uprighted and towed the truck.
Dead River Road was reopened after approximately four hours of closure.
