NEW GLOUCESTER — What was meant to be a cool maiden road trip from Massachusetts to Canada ended when a new motorcyclist was taken to the hospital following a crash on Interstate 95.

Patrick Cronin, 19, of Arlington, Mass., received his motorcycle license just four hours before crashing his bike on the Maine Turnpike in New Gloucester near milepost 70. And according to police, the accident serves as yet another reminder why helmets are important.

"He was wearing his helmet, and that saved him from serious head injuries — that helmet," said Trooper Anthony Keim of the Maine State Police.

Keim said that Cronin, an inexperienced motorcyclist who had just received his license to ride, was traveling to Canada with a friend. The two left Massachusetts shortly after Cronin passed his test.

Keim said that the crash occurred at about 4:10 p.m. He said that Cronin was traveling north on Interstate 95 in the passing lane when he was passed on the right side by a car. Keim said that witnesses reported that Cronin appeared to get caught in a gust of wind from the passing car, lost control and was thrown off the bike.

Keim said that Cronin tumbled a short distance down the road and slid before coming to rest in the grass along the right side of the northbound road. Cronin was transported to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Keim said most of Cronin injuries involved road rash.