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Snowmobile fatality near Rangeley; two more snowmobile deaths and other crashes reported

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DALLAS PLANTATION – A 61-year-old man was killed after he was thrown from his snowmobile on his way to the Snodeo parade Saturday evening in Rangeley. The Maine Warden Service is urging caution to riders following three snowmobile fatalities and four more crashes involving injuries this weekend.

According to the Warden Service, Odias Bachelder, 61, of Lang Township, was killed at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Interconnecting Trail System 89 in Dallas Plantation when his snowmobile left the trail and he was ejected. Bachelder, owner of Rangeley Plumbing, was wearing a helmet. He died immediately at the scene from apparent blunt force trauma. He was found by two snowmobiling companions who were following him. They were traveling to Rangeley to observe the Rangeley Snodeo snowmobile parade at the time.

Two more fatal snowmobile crashes were reported in Maine:

Matthew Divello, 49, from Mariaville was recovered Saturday Maine Warden Service divers. Divello was found at approximately 1:45 pm in Graham Lake near Eagle Island in the town of Mariaville on Saturday. He was in about 10 feet of water. Game Wardens used hovercraft, airboats, and a plane to aid in the search. At around 9 am Pilot Charlie Later and Warden Dave Simmons spotted a snowmobile helmet in the ice near Eagle Island. The Maine Warden Service Dive team was activated and was able to locate Divello within minutes of entering the icy water. Maine Warden Service was assisted by Mariaville Fire Department, Waltham Fire Department, LifeFlight, and the Maine Forest Service.

Mark Roux, 56, of Lee, was killed while operating his 2007 Yamaha snowmobile on Bill Green Pond in Lee on Saturday. At approximately 11:45 p.m., he crashed into a heavily wooded section of the shoreline. Mr. Roux was pronounced dead while en route to Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln. Mr. Roux was wearing a helmet. The snowmobile was destroyed in the accident. Mr. Roux was riding with his son, Paul Roux of Auburn. The crash remains under investigation.

Those injured in snowmobile crashes this weekend:
Tyler Helsor, 23 of Lincoln, was injured on Saturday while snowmobiling at approximately 2 p.m.Two sleds traveling in the opposite direction collided on Interconnecting Trail System (ITS) 85 in T4R8 near Bowlin Pond Camps. Helsor received serious injuries including a broken right femur and was transported to Millinocket Regional Hospital by Patten Ambulance. The operator of the other snowmobile was uninjured. The two snowmobiles met on the crest of a hill. When the sleds struck, Helsor was thrown from his sled. Both snowmobiles received minor damage. Cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Richard Lee, 40, of Medway, received a minor shoulder injury when he flipped his sled while climbing a snow bank in his yard. He was treated at the ER at Millinocket Regional Hospital.

Evan Bergeron, 34, of Sanford, left a camp that he was staying at on Lake Hebron in Monson at 11:20 pm. When he did not return, the camp owner searched briefly and then called Warden Service. Wardens responded and searched the lake, roads, and camps around the lake. Conditions were extremely cold with temperatures below zero. Warden Service was assisted by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department and several local volunteers. The search continued throughout the night and Bergeron was located around 7:30 a.m. by a local resident off of Pleasant Street in Monson. The initial investigation determined that he was operating on Pleasant Street when he failed to negotiate a right angle corner in the road. He left the road and traveled down over a steep embankment. Bergeron was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor by LifeFlight. The extent of Bergeron’s injuries are unknown at this time but they are believed to be serious.

Paul Rumery, 36, of Sanford, was operating a snowmobile at approximately noon in Shapleigh along an embankment. He lost control of his machine and it rolled over on top of him several times. Rumery was riding with friends and they were able to help him. It is likely that Rumery sustained broken ribs from the crash. Rumery was transported to Maine Medial Center in Portland for evaluation.

The Maine Warden Service is emphasizing the need to snowmobile safely after a weekend of three fatal crashes and other crashes involving injuries and property damage. Game Warden Major Greg Sanborn states that “all snowmobile operators must practice good judgment and common sense while snowmobiling. As always, never drive beyond the capabilities of you or your machine and never drink and drive. Always tell someone where you plan to ride and when you will return. Ice conditions across Maine remain inconsistent and dangerous and the lack of snow has made for poor trail conditions for the majority of the state.”

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13 Comments

  1. We will miss your kind heart and contagious smile, Odie. You were truly a gentle soul. Rest in Peace, My Dear Cousin.

  2. So sad to hear this news. Odie was a great guy and will sadly be missed by all that knew him. He was so proud of his family and when he talked about them you could see how much he loved them. We will miss him! RIP my friend!

    Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with all of Odies family.

  3. S sorry for all of you….I have known Odie my whole life it will be sad not to see him around’ My sincere condolences to his mother Ivah ,Brothers and sisters, and children Polly, Odiejr, Lindsay and Chelsey.

  4. We were friends as kids and friends as we grew up. Rest in peace my friend. I will miss you.

    My heart goes out to your children. I know how much they loved you

  5. My thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of all who passed and who were injured.
    Ride safe out there everyone..

  6. Odie will be greatly missed, his bright smile and kindness left a lasting impression on every one he met. My thoughts are with Chelsea and Lindsie during this difficult time <3

  7. Sorry for the problems listed here.
    I didn’t know any of these people but obviously they had a lot of good friends who will miss them…
    Please “dont” think this cant happen to YOU..

    A few years ago I had sleds and loved to ride during the week on my days off.
    During the week,,the trails are not so crowded. (I’m a slow poke who likes to “see things”,,I’m sure a lot of you curse my types who are in your way)…

    One Friday, my wife and I were riding up country on an ITS trail near Jackman.
    It was getting mid afternoon and I was very much aware that pretty soon “the cowboys” would be showing up on the trails,,,So we wanted to get off the trails before it got crazy.
    We almost made it…
    2 sleds pretty much jumped right over my wifes sled ,,landed between us and screamed off never to be seen again.
    It all took 5 seconds!!
    My wife never went with me again and I eventually got tired of fighting with the speed demons.
    I miss it,,but not that much.
    The trails are all yours now.

    Please ride safe.
    It’s not worth it if someone gets killed.

  8. This is terrible news. People need to be more careful out there, especially with the given, less than ideal, snow and ice conditions. Be safe all, my thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones and also the ones who were injured.

  9. Our thoughts and heart felt sympathies to Odie’s family and friends.

    Lori & Greg

  10. Our condolences go to Odie’s family. We will miss his smile and wink, and will remember the conversations we had.

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