A Turner man is being credited with helping save the life of a motorcyclist whose arm was severed Sunday when he struck a guy wire while driving on Route 4 in Turner.

John Nelson, 37, of Turner, said he was going south on Route 4 Sunday morning when he saw in his peripheral vision a motorcycle and a rider airborne. He turned around and went back to assist, as did another person.

Nelson said he called 911 and gave the dispatcher the information. Other people stopped to help.

At first they didn’t know that the victim, Brian Look, 62, of Hermon, had his arm amputated by a guy wire connected to a utility pole.

Once they realized it, Nelson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, used his medical training, wrapping his belt around Look’s upper arm to stop the bleeding. Another person who had stopped found the arm about 30 yards away in what looked like mud, Nelson said.

Each person who stopped was doing different things to help, he said.

Nelson said he applied pressure and didn’t let up until emergency responders arrived and put their tourniquet above his and took over.

Look was flown from near the scene by medical helicopter and taken to a Portland hospital, and then taken to a Boston-area hospital for treatment, according to Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy William Gagne.

“I’m very happy and proud to have helped keep the guy alive and learn that he was going to be OK,” Nelson said Wednesday.

Attempts to reach Look’s family members were unsuccessful Wednesday.

Nelson said it was his understanding that medical staff would be attempting to reattach Look’s arm. No information on Look’s condition could be obtained Wednesday.

The crash occurred at around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday. Authorities say Look was driving a 2024 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Gagne said a preliminary investigation indicates the motorcycle left the right side of the road and hit the guy wire. The crash remains under investigation.