Press Releases

March 17, 2008

Wardens Recover Body of Missing Cornville Snowmobiler

North Anson – The body of a Cornville snowmobiler missing since Friday night was recovered from the Kennebec River at approximately 9:20 a.m. today (Monday) after being located by workers clearing debris at a dam by Madison Paper Industries.

Ray Paine, 49, of Cornville, an electrician at Sappi Paper’s Somerset Mill, was last seen at approximately 9:40 p.m. Friday when he and a friend parted to head to where they each were staying. Mr. Paine headed on trails on Williams Farm towards the Kennebec River, which was covered with ice more than a week ago and provided a crossing to the other side. On Friday night, however, ice only extended about 30 yards into the river.

Mr. Paine was reported as missing at approximately 7:50 a.m. Saturday when his girlfriend contacted the Maine Warden Service and other authorities. The Maine Warden Service initiated an exhaustive search, using an airplane and an airboat along the Kenenbec River and snowmobiles on trails in Anson, North Anson, Madison and Solon, as well as the Kennebec River.

Eighteen wardens, including a pilot and divers, came from as far north as Jackman and from southern Maine, to participate in the search and used snowmobiles, an airplane, an airboat and other equipment. The estimated cost is $24,600, which is typical for a three-day search.

The Maine Warden Service on Monday morning had just completed morning dive preparations, including gear checks, weather and river condition summaries, and a prayer by the MWS chaplain, when word came that the missing snowmobiler was located. A snowmobile helmet found earlier in the day was identified by Mr. Paine’s family as his.

While wardens recovered Mr. Paine’s body by the dam, and contacted a funeral home and the state Medical Examiner’s Office, Warden Sgt. Kevin Adam and Chaplain Kate Braestrup went to notify the family, which was congregated at the North Anson Fire Department.

Along the shoreline of the Kennebec River in Anson, the MWS Dive Team changed its strategy to a recovery of the man’s snowmobile. A wind-ripped white buoy about 20 feet from the ice marked its location. The snowmobile was located Sunday morning, and today it was easier to spot in the water because of sunny skies. For a while, it was difficult to remove the sled because it was stuck underneath the water.

Sitting in an orange chair on the ice, watching the wardens try to recover the snowmobile, was Mr. Paine’s 22-year-old son, Leigh, of Skowhegan. He eventually left his post around 11 a.m. to go join his family. Mr. Paine has a 26-year-old daughter, Roxie, who lives in Methuem, Mass.

On Thursday, Mr. Paine had purchased the snowmobile from a friend and was out riding it for the first time on Friday when the accident occurred. His family said “he was having the time of his life” sledding in the Anson area, which is where he grew up and knew the snowmobile trails well.

The accident remains under investigation. Mr. Paine’s death is the 10th snowmobile-related fatality this season.

The Maine Warden Service is advising snowmobilers to check ice conditions before venturing onto lakes, ponds, rivers or streams as ice and snow are melting as the days get longer.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Press Releases

Wardens Recover Body of Missing Cornville Snowmobiler