A Massachusetts man was critically injured in a crash Friday night in Penobscot County as he traveled in a group of snowmobiles on a portion of Swift Brook Road near Stacyville, according to the Maine Warden Service.
Duane Carter, 55, of Spencer, Massachusetts, and Keith Sanford, 47, of Benedicta failed to negotiate a curve. Carter’s snowmobile collided with the rear of Sanford’s snowmobile, and Carter was thrown from his vehicle, Cpl. John MacDonald said in a statement.
Both men were taken to Millinocket Hospital. Carter was transferred to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where he was listed in critical condition Saturday night. Sanford was treated for a back injury. The crash is under investigation.
Earlier Friday, Karissa Bandinelli, 25, of Auburn broke her leg when her snowmobile crashed on Long Lake in Bridgton after hitting a pressure ridge just before 4 p.m., MacDonald said. She was riding ahead of her father on a well-established trail. She was thrown from the vehicle while traveling at about 60 mph, a witness told the warden service.
Game wardens said her snowmobile traveled 120 feet in the air before it came to rest. She was wearing a helmet. She was treated at Bridgton Hospital.
Excessive speed is the leading cause of snowmobile crashes, and the warden service continues to warn riders to slow down, MacDonald said.
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