Game Warden Chad Robertson, with his K-9 Storm, walks with James Thomas, 90, of Mexico early Saturday after Thomas became lost looking for artifacts in northern Franklin County. Maine Warden Service photo

TOWNSHIP E — A Mexico man was found early Saturday in northern Franklin County after he became lost while looking for artifacts with his metal detector.

Game Warden Chad Robertson with his K-9 Storm located James Thomas, 90, at 3:15 a.m. Saturday, Mark Latti, spokesman for Maine Warden Service, wrote in a statement.

Thomas had left a note to his family Friday that he was headed to Township E to look for artifacts around old cellar holes and settlements, according to a news statement.

When he did not return Friday night, his family went to the area and saw that his truck was still at his camp but his ATV was missing. Family members searched for him Friday night but were unable to find him, and contacted 911 about 11:15 p.m. The Maine Warden Service, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Border Patrol agencies responded and began searching the area, according to Latti.

About 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Game Warden Alex Maxsimic located Thomas’ ATV parked in some bushes beside a logging road several miles from the camp where the truck was parked, according to Latti. Robertson and Storm searched the area, and at 3:15 a.m., they located Thomas about a quarter-mile from there.

Thomas had spent some time searching for objects in the area with his metal detector earlier in the day, but was unable to find his ATV when he attempted to return to his truck that evening. He decided to walk to his truck, but without a working flashlight he become lost in the woods.

Thomas was uninjured, but was very cold as he was not wearing winter clothing, Latti said. It was 38 degrees overnight and very windy. Game wardens warmed Thomas up in a patrol truck and took him back to his family.


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