Maine Game Warden

A Dixfield man died in a 1 p.m. snowmobile wreck Friday in Carthage.

CARTHAGE — The eighth snowmobile fatality of the season claimed the life of a Dixfield man who crashed while riding near Carthage Road on Friday.

The Maine Warden Service said Thomas Henderson, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene after medics responded at about 1 p.m. Another snowmobiler who came upon the accident attempted lifesaving efforts.

Investigators said speed, alcohol and operator inexperience appeared to be factors in the crash.

Officials said Henderson was operating a 1999 Ski-Doo 700 snowmobile with passenger Spencer Knox, 22, of Carthage. 

“Preliminary scene evidence indicates Henderson was traveling at a high rate of speed when he approached a right-hand turn in the trail,” according to a news release from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries.

“Knox, seated behind Henderson, jumped off the snowmobile prior to the turn. Henderson continued ahead missing the turn and collided with several large trees. Henderson was not wearing a helmet,” the release said.

The incident occurred on a groomed club trail and was not on Maine’s Interconnected Trail System, according to the release.

The body was released to Wiles Funeral Home in Wilton. Carthage Fire Department personnel assisted game wardens with the crash.

“Once again, game wardens are urging snowmobilers to slow down and ride responsibly,” officials said in the release. “With snow scarce across the remainder of New England, trails in Maine remain busy, especially in western and northern portions of the state. Some of this year’s fatal and serious injury crashes have involved both excessive speed and alcohol and could have been avoided.”

 

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