TOWNSHIP 1, RANGE 6, Maine — A Tuesday evening collision with a moose resulted in the death of the moose, the totaling of a Red Cross blood van, and minor injuries to the van’s two occupants.
“They suffered some cuts when the windshield shattered,” said Maine State Trooper Thomas Fiske. “The 2005 Dodge passenger van they were in was totaled.”
The van — one of two heading back to Bangor after a daylong blood drive in Presque Isle — was going by another vehicle on I-95 south and in the passing lane when the 800-pound cow moose ambled into the passing lane from the woods on the left side of the road.
The collision occurred at 8:25 p.m. just north of Medway. Fiske said none of the blood supply in the totaled van was damaged, and it was all safely transferred into the other van.
No one at the scene wanted the dead moose, which was dragged by Fiske and two passers-by who stopped to help into the woods. A calf was also seen with the cow, but was not hit, and wandered alone into the woods.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t any official program for giving the moose to a local family or someone who can use the meat,” said Fiske. “The driver usually gets first dibs on taking the moose or deer.
“It’s difficult only because of the time and remote locations they’re usually hit, there’s not usually anyone handy to give them away to.”
Fiske, a 20-year Maine State Police veteran who patrols from Bangor to Sherman, said he has responded to as many as five moose-versus-car incidents in one day.
“There’s no guaranteed way to avoid them,” said Fiske. “Just drive carefully, pay attention and be alert, especially this time of year.”
Fire and ambulance units from East Millinocket also assisted at the accident scene.
800 pound cow? Wow! Glad no one was hurt.
the food pantry in millinocket could have used the moose and given the meat to needy families in the millinocket east millinocket and medway area they can freeze the meat. 800 pounds alot
feel sorry for the calf
Yeah, right, I was think the same thing.
What? Speed Limit increased on I-95? The moose are traveling too fast!
And you would think that the moose would use those moose crossings !
I was going to say the exact same, lol! I heard the call in on the radio by that woman and I am still laughing about it!
Maine Moose can’t read all that well…..
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Too bad the moose’s blood wasn’t useable. Glad the blood survived and it sounded like the driver was okay. In Alaska the police have a list of charities and low-income people that get dibs on the moose. Some charities have a flatbed with a pully to transport the moose to a more comfortable butchering facility while others do it roadside in all types of weather and time of day. Most roadkills are utilized in this manner.
Many police departments in Maine have lists of people to be called in cases such as this too. First refusal goes to the person that hit the animal. If they don’t want it, then they call the next person on their list until they find someone who is home, and able to take it.
Call the “Hunters for the Hungry” program. IF&W and the AG departments have number. A buthcer will get it ready for food pantries.
Glad to hear the folks from the Red Cross were ok…they do great work!
It must have been a bloodbath.
(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
I have many friends including relatives that have either run over deer and or moose.. I myself have never been so unfortunate.. I remember at least 3 times now though that I have been a driver and have stopped on the 95 two times to let a moose and once 3 deer cross in front of me while the passengers never seen the animals.. And one moose was 4 feet from the car and still not seen by a passenger.. I sometimes question the driving skills of some of these people.. My own parents whom are in their early 70’s can ride beside me on a highway and they never have seen me.. This seems to be the norm these days.. Moral of the whole story is, “”Please people especially this time of year Please be aware of your surroundings when you get behind the wheel of your vehicles”””!
In a state that has 1000’s of people on food stamps and state assistance, you would think that there would be a plan in place to donate the meat.
An 800 pound moose could provide a lot of families with good meat.