On Friday afternoon, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Maine Warden Service was notified of a serious snowmobile crash that occurred on ITS 85 in T6 R7 WELS in northern Penobscot County. Wayne Nickerson, 64, from Yarmouth, collided with a tree and was pronounced dead at the scene when wardens and EMS arrived.
Nickerson was riding behind Bart Dickinson, 49, from Lewiston in an easterly direction and failed to negotiate a left-hand curve near the snowmobile bridge on the Sebois River.
Wardens said it appeared that the snowmobile went airborne for a short distance after leaving the trail before hitting the tree. The victim received head trauma but was wearing a helmet. The 2007 Arctic Cat F-8 was heavily damaged and was removed from the scene.
The four responding wardens, Sergeant Ron Dunham and Wardens Seth Powers, Jim Davis and Charles Brown, were assisted by Mount Chase Ambulance and Rescue personnel. Nickerson’s body was transported to Bowers Funeral Home in Island Falls. This incident remains under investigation.
“The Maine Warden Service reminds all snowmobilers to pay close attention to changing trail conditions as spring approaches,” said John MacDonald, spokesperson for the Maine Warden Service. “Always drive responsibly and never drink and drive. This is Maine’s sixth snowmobiling fatality this winter season.”
