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Press Releases

Contact: Edie Smith, Spokesperson Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 284 State Street 41 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333

Media representatives can receive press releases via e-mail.

Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

• Maine Wildlife Park Press Releases
• Previous Press Releases for 2009
• Previous Press Releases for 2008

March 21, 2009

Cape Elizabeth Man Seriously Injured in Snowmobile Incident

Augusta, Maine - A 42-year-old Cape Elizabeth man was seriously injured when he hit a beaver dam with his snowmobile, lost control of the machine and struck a tree at approximately 9:20 a.m. today (March 21, 2009).

Christopher Robichaud, 42, from Cape Elizabeth was operating a 1989 Polaris Indy 500 sled on a private, ungroomed trail off Hardison Road near Moore Brook in north Caribou when the incident occurred, according to Maine Warden Service Sgt. Tom Ward.

Mr. Robichaud was following his father-in-law and son, who were riding together on a separate sled.

Mr. Robichaud was transported to Cary Medical Center in Caribou, where he is being stabilized for serious injuries to his head, neck, face, collar and shoulder. He was wearing a helmet, and there was minimal damage to his snowmobile.

Wardens Alan Dudley and Ryan Fitzpatrick are investigating the incident.

According to Sgt. Ward, snowmobile trails in northern Maine are very hard in the morning and soften up after noon. A crust of ice/snow covers the fields and has caused some problems for snowmobile operators, such as one ski breaking through causing a loss of control.

The major trails (groomed ITS trails) are in very good shape due to the great base, according to Sgt. Ward. Brooks, streams and rivers are opening up, especially around rocks, logs and spring holes. Logging roads that were plowed on earlier are causing problems for operators, as the base is not there. Roots and stumps are starting to melt through, as well, and sledders must use much caution to avoid hitting them.

“This is a great time of year to ride, but operators have to be alert and slow down,” according to Sgt. Ward.

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