Press Releases

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

April 3, 2010

Two Anglers Rescued From Parker Pond

Augusta, Maine - Two anglers were rescued this afternoon from an island in Parker Pond in Mount Vernon after they fell out of their canoe and were witnessed screaming from the frigid water.

Trevor Holt and David Croteau, both 29 and of Farmington, had finished reeling in their lines and heading north to the boat launch in a 16-foot square stern canoe with a 5 hp outboard motor (operated by Holt) when they spilled into the water. The men told the Maine Warden Service they did not know how they ended up tipping over. Lifejackets were in the canoe and floated away when the canoe tipped.

The men were heard -- and seen -- screaming in the water by Barbara Bowden of Bangor, who was at a camp. She called Maine State Police at approximately 3:30 p.m.

The men were able to swim between 100-150 yards to the island. Kayakers Wendy Wing of Waterville and Mark Desmond of Sidney witnessed the incident, met the men on the island, gave them dry clothes and built a fire, according to Warden Steve Allarie.

The men were rescued by Game Wardens using a Mount Vernon Fire and Rescue boat. Mount Vernon and Readfield fire and rescues, and Maine State Police assisted.

Holt and Croteau experienced mild hypothermia, and did not want to be transported to a hospital.

Maine waters are extremely cold, and many remain at high because of the heavy rains earlier this week. Rivers and streams are flowing fast.

People are urged to use caution if going onto any body of water, to dress appropriately in case of a spill into cold water, and to wear a life jacket.