WALLAGRASS, Maine — Traveling too fast for the road conditions at the time is being blamed for an accident that stranded a sport utility vehicle on frozen Soldier Pond late Tuesday night, according to Sgt. Josh Haines of the Maine State Police.
On Thursday morning Haines also released the names of the drivers and passengers involved in the accident just before 10:30 p.m.
According to Haines, Ryan Macnaught, 19, of New Gloucester, was traveling east in his 2004 Chevrolet Blazer on Soldier Pond Road when he lost control of the SUV in a sharp corner at the intersection of the B&A Siding Road.
Haines said the road was slippery at the time and Macnaught skidded across a set of railroad tracks, rolled over down an embankment and came to rest on its side on frozen Soldier Pond which is part of the Fish River.
Macnaught and his three passengers, Mariah Kendall, 18, of Philips; Desirae Lagasse, 19, of Lincoln; and Taylorae Carter, 18, of Calais, were able to make their way back to the shore.
On Wednesday Fort Kent Fire Chief Ed Endee said the four made their way to a nearby residence and asked for assistance.
All four sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene and then transported to Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent, Haine said.
Their condition was not immediately available Thursday morning.
Members of the Fort Kent Volunteer Fire Department were on the scene assisting with the removal of the SUV from the frozen pond when compromised ice and open water could be seen nearby.
Fort Kent firefighters created a path to the stranded vehicle using ladders placed on the ice and attached a safety harness and line onto Richard “Dicky” Daigle, owner of Twins Service Station who then crawled out on the ladders to the SUV to attach a tow line.
Once attached to the wrecker, the SUV was winched back to shore and up the embankment, Daigle said on Wednesday, adding this was not the first time he’s hauled a vehicle from an icy pond or lake.
“I was not too nervous being out on that ice,” he said. “Things like this come with the territory — adventure is what they call that.”
All four of the vehicle occupants were wre seatbelts at the time, Haines said.
Trooper Dan Marquis was assisted at the scene by the Fort Kent Volunteer Fire Department and the Fort Kent Ambulance Service.
