THORNDIKE TOWNSHIP — A 46-year-old Massachusetts woman sustained serious injuries Thursday when her snowmobile landed on top of her after she crashed alongside a trail between Jackman and Rockwood.
Bonnie Sancomb of Hopkinton, Mass. was traveling east in a group of six snowmobilers when she missed a right-hand turn and shot into woods on her 2012 Arctic Cat Pro Cross F800 sled, according to a news release from Maine Warden Service Cpl. John MacDonald.
MacDonald said Friday that it appeared speed and unfamiliarity with the trail may have been contributing factors in the crash.
When other members of the party realized Sancomb was missing, MacDonald said they doubled back and found Sancomb underneath the sled.
The snowmobile, which was on its side with its studded track still spinning, was on top of Sancomb, MacDonald said.
Sancomb suffered severe injuries to her torso, he said.
A member of the snowmobile party called 911 on a cell phone at 10:35 a.m., MacDonald said.
The members of the snowmobile party, who were all Massachusetts and Connecticut residents, left Jackman earlier Thursday morning and were traveling on trail Route 66, also known as the Brassua 2 Road.
MacDonald described the trail as groomed and well-traveled.
Bill Jarvis, fire chief for Jackman-Moose River, said the trail follows an old logging road and is at least 9 feet wide.
LifeFlight, Jackman fire-rescue and ambulance, and Game Wardens John Lonergan, Paul Mason, and Troy Dauphinee responded.
MacDonald said a LifeFlight helicopter from Bangor arrived in Thorndike Township within 30 minutes, at about 11:05 a.m.
He said Jackman emergency personnel and wardens arrived later due to poor road conditions.
Jarvis said frost heaves, potholes, slush and mud made slowed responders’ travel time on Route 15 and connecting logging roads.
Sancomb was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, said MacDonald.
The Maine Warden Service reminded snowmobilers that trail conditions vary greatly. Sledders were advised to slow down and be aware of what is ahead on the trail.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Beth Staples — 861-9252
bstaples@centralmaine.com
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