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

June 23, 2010

Princeton Man’s Body Recovered from Big Lake This Morning

Augusta, Maine - Civilian boaters assisting under the direction of the Maine Warden Service located the body of Scott James, 40, of Princeton, at approximately 7:15 a.m. today, June 23, on Big Lake in Township 27.

The Maine Warden Service recovered Mr. James, and he was being transported to Mays Funeral Home in Calais.

The Maine Warden Service and volunteer searchers had resumed the search for Mr. James at 5 a.m. today, after suspending it last night due to darkness. The boater was located on the water’s surface approximately 300 yards off Greenlaw Island.

Mr. Scott was boating with a 16-year-old family member before 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon (June 19) when the boat hit a wave, knocking him out of the back of the boat and into the water in the vicinity of Greenlaw Island. The teen threw Mr. Scott a life jacket and jumped in the water to help him. Mr. Scott struggled in the water and went under. The teen began to swim towards shore, and was picked up on the lake by two campers who heard his cries for help.

Fourteen Game Wardens, including divers and a pilot, and a dozen civilians in six boats conducted the search, according to Lt. Tom Ward.

“There’s a tight-knit, friendly community in the Big Lake, Grand Lake Stream and Princeton areas, and volunteers were wanting to help find their friend,” according to Lt. Ward. “They brought water and food to all of the searchers and opened up their camps for people to stay overnight. The Maine Warden Service is thankful for their efforts over the last four days.”

The case is being referred to the state Medical Examiner’s Office, as is standard procedure. The incident is under investigation.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

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