Two Maine snowmobile fatalities on Friday bring total to six this season

Scene of Friday's fatal snowmobile crash south of Baxter State Park. (Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife photo)

T2 R9 WELS, Maine - Maine Fish and Wildlife officials are pleading with the public to ride safely after two snowmobilers died on Maine trails on Friday.

One fatal snowmobile crash occurred near Abol Bridge south of Baxter State Park when a Massachusetts man. Alan Paquette, 55, from Ashburnham died shortly before noon when the snowmobile he was operating crashed on Interconnecting Trail System (ITS) 86, about 3.5 miles East of Abol Bridge. Paquette was riding last in a group of three snowmobiles in his party when he failed to negotiate a turn in the trail and collided with several trees.

Game wardens say unfamiliarity with the trail and speed likely contributed to this deadly crash. Baxter State Park rangers and Millinocket Ambulance members provided significant assistance in this incident. Paquette was operating a 2019 Ski-Doo Renegade 850 and was wearing a helmet. Paquette's body was taken to Lampson Funeral Home in Millinocket.

Around the same time a Pennsylvania woman died in a snowmobile crash near Rangeley.

The 41-year-old woman was operating a 2014 Ski-Doo 900 Grand Touring snowmobile on Bald Mountain Camps Trail when the crash took place around 11 a.m. A male passenger, also 41, and from Pennsylvania, was seated behind her when she failed to negotiate a turn in the trail. As a result, the snowmobile rolled to its side and struck trees along the trail. The female operator died at the scene as a result of her injuries.

The two had been riding toward Rangeley along with three other snowmobiles in their party who were behind them.

Rangeley Fire and Rescue responded and assisted at the scene. Game wardens continue to investigate the incident and say speed does not appear to be a factor, however, operator inexperience may have been a contributing factor.

Due to circumstances of the victim's family being in Pennsylvania, notifications have been delayed significantly. Names of the victim and the male passenger will be released when notifications to next of kin are made.

Fish and Wildlife officials say Friday's incidents bring Maine's fatal snowmobile crash total to six for this riding season. Maine game wardens urge snowmobilers to slow down and ask that riders always provide plenty of time to safely stop, negotiate changing terrain and other riders.