Press Releases

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

Contact: Doug Rafferty - 287-5248


July 27, 2012

ATV Fatality - Search for Swimmer - Hanson Lake - Mapleton

Carmel, Maine - At approximately 8:30PM last evening, game wardens were called to a report of a fatal ATV incident on Deer Run Lane (off from Etna Pond Road) in the town of Carmel. Etna Fire and Rescue personnel were first on scene and found one victim still alive. Robert Girt, age 67, from 51 Deer Run Lane in Carmel was found underneath his Suzuki four wheeler and complained of head, neck, and leg pain. The mans wife, Joyce Girt, age 58, was found dead by EMS personnel a short distance away lying in a driveway next to her Arctic Cat four wheeler; her ATV was neither running nor in gear.

Robert was transported to EMMC in Bangor via Life Flight and soon taken again by Life Flight to Maine Medical Center in Portland. His injuries are considered serious. The body of Joyce Girt has been transported to Augusta for a pending autopsy. Initial reports are that she had head injuries consistent with falling from an ATV. Alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor in this incident. This incident was not witnessed. Next of kin has been notified and all reside in Illinois. Wardens Jim Fahey, David Georgia, and Sergeant Ralph Hosford were assisted by Penobscot County Sheriff’s Deputy Noel Santiago and members of Etna Fire and Rescue. This incident remains under investigation.

SEARCH FOR SWIMMER - HANSON LAKE, MAPLETON – JULY 27, 2012:  At approximately 10:30 PM last evening, a group of four friends were at Hanson Lake near the Presque Isle airport. It appears that members of the party had been drinking and were swimming in the lake during the evening hours. One thirty-year-old male attempted to swim across the lake by himself. According to witnesses he made it a considerable distance across the lake before the group on shore heard calls for help. The lake is approximately 250 yards wide at the incident location. The subject was not seen going under due to darkness.

A land search was conducted around the lake, and boats have been on the water. The Maine Warden Service dive team is currently searching Hanson Lake for the missing subject. One dive has taken place and a second dive is ongoing. The water visibility is very poor making for hazardous and difficult diving conditions. Maine State Police, Presque Isle Police Department & Fire Department assisted. The name of the man is not being released as family has not yet been notified.