Wardens stress safety after ATV crash in Shawtown Township

Game wardens responded to several incidents on July 4, some of which have involved ATV crashes and serious injuries. In many cases, wardens are finding those injured were operating without helmets and are urging riders to wear protective headgear and maintain safe speeds.

Wardens responded to an ATV crash Thursday on the Frenchtown Road in Shawtown Township. The crash involved two subjects on a single dirt bike sometime during the early morning hours.

Brynden McAndrews, 23, from Connecticut, was the operator and he sustained serious leg injuries. McAndrews was wearing a helmet, his passenger was not. His passenger, 26-year-old Eric White, was not injured. This crash remains under investigation.

Mid-afternoon game wardens responded to an UTV crash in Burnham off the Winnecook Road. The UTV was being operated by a 15-year-old male with a 25-year-old passenger, Nicholas Chadwick. The UTV was being operated on their private property. The 15-year-old suffered a concussion and both individuals were transported to Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield. Neither were wearing helmets. This incident remains under investigation.

Game wardens responded to another afternoon ATV crash at the north end of the Bowels Road in Caribou. Two 14-year-olds and a 4-year-old were transported to Cary Medical Center in Caribou as a result of the crash. The incident took place just after 3 p.m. near Guerrette Farms. The 4-year-old male received a laceration on his forehead and his older brother received an injured elbow. The second 14-year-old, a friend, received a broken wrist as well as a face laceration and a possible concussion.

None were wearing helmets, but they were wearing seatbelts. They had been operating a 2013 Can AM Maverick 1000. It appears the three rolled over and lost control while operating downhill. The UTV was owned by the grandfather of the two brothers. This case remains under investigation.