MAPLETON, Maine — Police are searching for a man who went missing while attempting to swim across an Aroostook County lake at about 10:30 Friday evening, according to officials.
The 30-year-old man, whose name has not been released pending notification of his family, was part of a group of four friends that was drinking and swimming at Hanson Lake near the Presque Isle airport, according to a news release from Maine Warden Service spokesman John MacDonald.
The man attempted to swim across the lake, which is approximately 250 yards wide, by himself, according to the release, and made it a considerable distance before his friends heard calls for help.
The man is assumed dead although he was not seen going underwater due to darkness, according to MacDonald, but “all efforts are being made to confirm this.”
Rescue crews are searching both on land and in the water. The Maine Warden Service has conducted one dive and is in the process of a second, but poor water visibility has made the search difficult, MacDonald stated.
Maine State Police, and the Presque Isle police and fire departments have assisted the Maine Warden Service.
Another needless loss of a young person in the prime of life. So sorry for him and loved ones. It’s getting to the point where we need to appoint a designated someone for almost every activity. I hope his other 3 freinds take this life altering experience to heart and spread the word about drinking and water saftey. Don’t let this man’s death be for nothing-keep it from happening again.
My cousin…How you will be missed…I can’t beleive I will never see you again.