Press Releases

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

Media representatives can receive press releases via e-mail.

Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

February 7, 2010

Leeds Man Safe After Truck Goes Through Thin Ice

Augusta, Maine - A Leeds man was rescued from the roof of his truck on Saturday evening after his truck went through thin ice on North Pond.

Jeff Worster of Leeds told Game Warden Gary Allen that he was out driving his 2005 Chevrolet Silverado at approximately 6:15 p.m. Saturday when he ventured onto what's called the Narrows between North Pond and Little North Pond in Rome.

The area is known to be treacherous because of flowing water that can make it difficult for ice to thicken to safe levels.

According to Warden Allen, Mr. Worster said he was not familiar with the area and did not check the ice before driving onto it.

Rome, Belgrade and Smithfield fire and rescue departments responded Saturday night and worked to get Mr. Worster off the lake.

The truck is sitting on the lake's bottom in about five feet of water. The cab is visible.

A representative from the Department of Environmental Protection was to go to the scene to check for any environmental impact.

A towing company is going to attempt to pull the truck from the lake today. Estimates for extraction are $3,000 to $4,500.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Press Releases