NEW GLOUCESTER – A car driven by a 16-year-old girl, who was accompanied by a 14-year-old female passenger, crashed into a tree Saturday sending both teens to the hospital.

One of the girls was transported to Central Maine Medical Center by LifeFlight and the other to the same hospital by United Ambulance. CMMC would not release any information about the girls late Saturday night.

The identity of both teenagers was withheld by Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Keith Cook, who said the two girls were friends and both lived in New Gloucester.

It appeared that speed may have been a factor, but a final determination was not made Saturday night, said Cook.

At the scene Sgt. David Hall of CCSD worked with instruments to recreate the accident with the help of three deputies.

New Gloucester Fire Chief Bruce Tupper said his volunteers responded to the 7:40 p.m. call after a day-long community celebration at the New Gloucester Fairgrounds.

Because of the apparent severity of the injuries to the girls, Tupper said he called LifeFlight and United Ambulance to transport the victims.

Both girls were removed from the red 1996 Plymouth Neon by Jaws of Life equipment in about 20 minutes, said Tupper.

An ambulance transported one of the victims to the New Gloucester Fairgrounds on Bald Hill Road where the LifeFlight helicopter crew landed. The other victim was transported by another ambulance to the hospital.

Earlier in the day, the New Gloucester Fire and Rescue Department and LifeFlight crews demonstrated to the public at a community day how evacuations are performed.

About 12 New Gloucester firefighters and eight volunteer rescue personnel responded to the scene of the accident.