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

January 2, 2011

Casco Man Critically Injured in Snowmobile Incident

Augusta, Maine - Two people were injured, one critically, when they lost control of a snowmobile while riding on Thomas Pond in Casco today (Sunday, January 2, 2011).

Thomas Hartley, 47, of Casco, and Patricia Butler, 41, of Naples were traveling on a 1997 Ski Doo 600 Formula 3 snowmobile on Thomas Pond in the vicinity of Mr. Hartley’s home on Thomas Pond Shore Road at approximately 12:05 p.m. Sunday when they lost control of the vehicle, hit the shoreline tipping the sled onto its side, and were ejected.

According to two ice fishermen, Ms. Butler was on the front of the sled and Mr. Hartley was sitting behind her, but Mr. Hartley was driving the sled from behind Ms. Butler.

Mr. Hartley hit his head on an aluminum boat lift, according to Game Warden Pete Herring. He suffered a broken neck, broken collarbone, and head lacerations. He was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he was in critical condition.

Ms. Butler suffered bruises to her upper body.

Neither was wearing a helmet.

Mr. Hartley was summonsed for operating under the influence and refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test.

The incident remains under investigation.

Wardens Kris Barboza and Josh Smith, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Casco Fire Department personnel also responded.