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Contact:Edie Smith, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333


Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

July 13, 2009

88-Year-Old Brewer Man Safe Near Byron

Augusta, Maine - An 88-year-old Brewer man is safe after getting lost in the woods after fishing along the Swift River on Sunday in Township E near Byron.

Arthur Babineau, 88, of Brewer “got turned around” and traveled more than 1.5 miles, mostly in a ravine, to a spot that was a half-mile from where he was last seen by family members, according to Maine Warden Service Sgt. Tim Place. He was reported missing by his family late Sunday afternoon and was located by two ATV-ers who were helping in the search at approximately 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

Mr. Babineau, who is a former military medic and is in excellent physical condition, told the Maine Warden Service that he had made himself a bed with pine boughs and planned to sleep in the woods before heading back to his family’s campsite. He said he heard two ATVs drive by, and went to flag them, but they already had driven past him. The ATV-ers, however, made a return trip, and Mr. Babineau was able to get their attention.

He was unharmed.

Mr. Babineau told the Maine Warden Service that the Byron area is one of his favorite places to fish, and that he’s been going to the Swift River area for more than 40 years.

The Maine Warden Service was assisted by numerous volunteers.