Snowmobiler injured in Ashland accident

    ASHLAND, Maine – An afternoon snowmobile outing for a group of friends ended abruptly Friday afternoon when the lead sled, driven by Clifford Folsom, 54, of New Limerick, failed to make a turn, resulting in Folsom being thrown from the machine.
     “Folsom was the lead sled in a group of snowmobiles northbound on ITS 85 just south of Ashland. He went across an open field and the trails split. Where the two trails merged back together, there was a hill and a sharp right-hand turn. Folsom was going fast enough he was unable to negotiate the turn and his sled rolled over on its side, with Folsom sort of under and beside the sled,” said Dave Allen, the district game warden in charge of the investigation.
Allen said at about the same time another group of sleds heading in the opposite direction came upon the accident scene, with all but one sled being able to avoid Folsom and his snowmobile.
“There was a group of sleds heading south about the same time, around 2 p.m. on March 9. The lead sled operator saw Folsom and his machine and was able to come almost to a complete stop before striking the sled,” said Allen.
The lead driver of the southbound group was identified as Daniel Gauthier, of Springvale. Allen said Gauthier’s machine made contact with Folsom’s but Allen wasn’t sure if Gauthier did, in fact, strike Folsom as well.
“I know the two machines came in contact but I’m not sure if Gauthier’s sled had contact with Folsom,” said Allen.
Allen said the machines received minimal damage, with Folsom’s receiving a broken windshield and Gauthier’s sustaining a broken ski.
“Fortunately Gauthier was able to get slowed down, so it wasn’t a major collision,” said Allen.
Allen said Folsom reported having chest pain. Allen indicated Folsom may have sustained broken ribs and also complained of pain in his back.
“Folsom was transported by the Ashland Ambulance Service to The Aroostook Medical Center,” said Allen.
Allen said he believed Folsom had been airlifted from TAMC to a hospital in Southern Maine for further treatment. No word was available on which hospital Folsom was treated at or if he has since been released.
No one else was injured as the result of the accident.
Allen did not indicate if any charges would be brought in connection with the accident. Allen was assisted at the scene by the Ashland Police Department.