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Press Releases

March 1, 2008

Two men died in two separate snowmobile accidents

Augusta, Maine – Two men died in two separate snowmobile accidents in Shirley and in Brooksville, according to the Maine Warden Service.

At approximately 8:50 p.m. Friday, a 47-year-old Sabbatus man died when he drifted off a trail and hit a birch tree in Shirley. The victim, Michael D. Morrow, was driving the last snowmobile in a group of four heading northbound on ITS 85 toward Greenville.

The group, which was staying at a house in Greenville, had taken a short ride to Abbot and was heading back to Greenville.

“They had just gone through a slight curve and were in a straightaway when he drifted to the left,” said Warden Troy Dauphinee, who responded to the scene.

Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the accident, according to Warden Sgt. Ralph Hosford, who also responded to the scene. Mr. Morrow was wearing a helmet. Greenville Rescue pronounced Mr. Morrow dead on the scene.

The accident remains under investigation. The state Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting a routine examination today to determine the cause of death.

A 26-year-old Deer Isle man died and a 19-year-old Surry woman was injured at approximately 1:30 a.m. today in a snowmobile accident on Parker Pond in Brooksville.

James Douglass and Natasha Robbins were with several friends at a bonfire on the north side of the pond when they decided to go for a short ride down the pond, according to Warden Justin Fowlie.

As they were making their way back to the bonfire, Mr. Douglass drove onto the shore and struck a group of maple trees. Friends tried to administer aid. Peninsula Ambulance and Brooksville and Penobscot volunteer firefighters responded along with the Maine Warden Service.

Mr. Douglass, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center. He passed away at 7:55 a.m. today. Miss Robbins, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to Blue Hill Memorial Hospital.

The accident remains under investigation.