CARATUNK — A Madison man out for the last ride of the season on his all-terrain vehicle ended up getting a ride in a helicopter to the hospital. A broken rear wheel may have caused the accident, according to investigators.

Game warden Rick Clowry said that Glen Dow, 58, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries while riding with three other ATV operators on a remote trail along Chase Pond Road around 9 a.m. Clowry said the four ATV operators were traveling on the popular trail and Dow was riding on his Polaris ATV in the rear of the group. “The left rear wheel came off and launched Dow 50 feet into a ditch,” Clowry said as Dow was loaded into a LifeFlight of Maine helicopter at an airport in Bingham and flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. A fellow rider called for help after walking to a place to use a cell phone. Clowry said the riders were out on warm day for the last ride of the year.

Additional Photos

INJURY: Game Warden Rick Clowry, front, and other wardens look at an all-terrain vehicle that lost a rear wheel, sending operator Glen Dow of Madison into a ditch while he was riding in Caratunk on Sunday. Dow is being loaded into a LifeFlight of Maine helicopter at an airport in Bingham. Staff photo by David Leaming

A spokesman at MMMC did not have any information on Dow later Sunday.

Clowry said that Dow’s injuries were to the ribs, hands and knees and were serious enough to warrant a helicopter transportation. The warden said Dow was wearing a helmet and likely prevented more serious injuries. He added that Dow was conscious but not alert when officers arrived.

Clowry said he did not believe that operator error contributed to the accident and speed and alcohol were not factors. “He is an experienced rider,” Clowry said. “I plan to take the ATV to a dealer and have it autopsied to determine if there was mechanical failure.”

Several Bingham firetrucks and volunteers assisted in transporting Dow from the accident scene to the airport in town.

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