By Daniel Hartill,Staff Writer

TURNER – Police are investigating an early-morning accident on Route 4 that killed a 65-year-old North Turner woman Saturday.

Following the pre-dawn crash, Florence Ireland was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center, where she later died.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Raymond Cote, 21, of Livermore, was unhurt.

Turner Fire Chief Steve Fish said he was saddened by the Ireland’s death.

“I’ve known her for years and years,” Fish said Saturday night.

A retired widow, she always had a ready smile, the fire chief said.

“She was a very sweet lady,” he said.

The accident happened sometime before 4:52 a.m., when police were called to the scene outside the Northland Plaza shopping center.

Ireland’s car, a 1990 Oldsmobile was demolished by Cote’s Kenworth tractor, owned by Mechanic Falls Rail Road.

Police estimated damage to the truck at $500.

Authorities closed a portion of the rural highway for about three hours, while a reconstructionist from the Maine State Police and an officer from the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement office examined the site.

Neither speed nor alcohol appears to have played a role in the crash, police said.

Authorities are asking anyone who might have witnessed the accident to call the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department.

People are asked to call Deputy Randy Williams at 784-7361, ext. 263, with any information.