SINCLAIR — Maine game wardens say two snowmobile operators had a close call over the weekend in northern Maine.

Wardens say 24-year-old Caleb Fernald and 22-year-old Jake Deschaine were charged with operating under the influence after driving their machines onto open water in the community of Sinclair.

The thoroughfare between Long Lake and Mud Lake typically remains open water, even in the dead of winter.

Wardens say the water was only 3 to 5 feet deep, so the men from the Brewer area were able to escape early Sunday and seek shelter at a nearby home. Wardens say they weren’t familiar with the area.