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Press Releases

April 1, 2008

Allagash Village - A 42-year-old Brunswick man was able to walk 16 miles out of the woods to safety after being reported missing Monday

Kevin Owens was expected in Brunswick on Sunday night. When he did not arrive, friends searched his northern Maine camp on Monday and noticed that he had not stayed there the night before. His truck was located near a trail in Fort Kent, and the Maine Warden Service was notified at approximately 11 a.m. Monday.

Five wardens and a retired MWS pilot initiated a search and were told that Mr. Owens was last seen at 3 p.m. getting gas at Chamberlain’s Store in St. Francis.

"The search concentrated efforts in the remote Deboullie Pond area, T15 R9," according to MWS Sgt. Tom Ward. "Wardens covered many miles of sled trails and logging roads by snowmobile, while the pilot searched from the air."

Mr. Owens turned up in Allagash after he walked out 16 miles from Michaud Farm on the Allagash Waterway in T15 R11, according to Sgt. Ward.

Mr. Owens told wardens that he left St. Francis and traveled on the Allagash River until he hit a rock. When his sled landed, it broke through the ice and became partially submerged. Mr. Owens' feet and lower legs got wet, and he left to find shelter in a camp alongside the river where he built a fire, dried his clothes and spent the night, according to Sgt. Ward.

"The next morning, he started towards Allagash Village and walked over eight hours and 16 miles until he found an occupied home with a phone," Sgt. Ward said. "He was tired, but in good shape. We were very concerned because of cool temperatures the previous night, and changing ice conditions."

The search for Mr. Owens was the second search in eight days in remote areas of Aroostook County.

The Maine Warden Service advises snowmobilers to use extreme caution when venturing out onto ice. Sledders should let friends know about their route, ride with a friend and carry a survival kit including snowshoes and gasoline.

"Spring-like conditions are upon us and the ice can change in one afternoon," Ward said.

Wardens involved in this search were Ward, Sgt. Brian Gray, Wdn. Gary Sibley, Wdn. Jeff Spencer, Wdn. Dave Milligan and Wdn. Pilot Gary Dumond (retired).