Maine Snowmobiler Dies After Falling Through Ice in Oakland

OAKLAND, ME — A Massachusetts man riding a snowmobile on Messalonskee Lake in Oakland Saturday afternoon died after falling through the ice, authorities said. The man was identified as Richard Dumont, 52, of North Attleboro.

Dumont was riding a friend's snowmobile toward the lake's outlet when he fell through at about 2:45 p.m. First responders pulled Dumont from the water; he was transported to Inland Hospital in Waterville, where he was pronounced dead.

"This is a tragic reminder that Maine’s lakes and ponds vary widely in ice thickness and safety for snowmobilers and others who recreate on the ice," the Maine Warden Service said in a statement. "Game wardens are asking that everyone exercise extreme caution on any water body this winter season."

Photo: Snowmobile tracks can be seen leading to thin ice where a snowmobiler fell through and died on Messalonskee Lake in Oakland January 7, 2017. (Credit: Maine Warden Service)