Riding ATVs through Maine’s wilderness carries real risks, especially on narrow dirt trails far from emergency medical care. A stark reminder of those dangers came Saturday afternoon when a young rider died on an isolated backwoods trail.
State wardens identified the victim as 20-year-old Bruce Kennedy of North Berwick, Maine. Kennedy was riding alongside a companion in a remote area of Piscataquis County near Wadleigh Pond when his vehicle went out of control.
According to state wildlife authorities, the incident took place around 2:00 p.m. Kennedy and his friend were operating separate ATVs along the winding woods route when Kennedy failed to negotiate a curve in the trail.
The machine veered off the pathway after Kennedy lost control, resulting in a heavy crash. The remote location made quick medical access difficult, though first responders rushed to reach the off-road site.
Emergency personnel evaluated Kennedy at the crash scene near Wadleigh Pond, but his injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead right there on the trail before he could be transported to a hospital.
Investigators from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife noted two primary contributing factors during their initial check of the crash site: excessive speed for the trail conditions and the fact that Kennedy was not wearing a safety helmet.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife maintains an open investigation into the fatality. Officers continue gathering physical evidence from the trail curve to complete their formal reconstruction of the incident.
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