Megan Libby, 22, of Newcastle, her brother, Earl Libby, 19, also of Newcastle, Devon Jones, 17, of Nobleboro, and Jake Jewett, 21, of Errol, N.H., were out riding at approximately 7 p.m. Saturday on Damariscotta Lake when they hit the open water and went in.

The accident happened near Fondy Road on the southern side of the lake. The Libbys and Jewett were able to get out of the water, but Jones was struggling, according to Maine Warden Service Captain Joel Wilkinson.

Rick Gaeth, who lives on Fondy Road, saw the accident and called emergency services. Gaeth gave  Earl Libby a rope to use to rescue Jones.   Libby tied the rope to his waist, jumped into the water, swam about 100 feet and grabbed Jones.

Two men who witnessed the accident assisted in saving the four riders. Gaeth brought two of the victims into his house, put them into a bed and covered them with blankets for about an hour to get warm before they were transported to a hospital.
“He took care of them for an hour while the individuals with the more severe cases of hypothermia were immediately transported to the hospital,” Wilkinson said.

Gaeth and another witness, Chad Nickerson, pulled the rope to get the pair out of the water, according to Captain Wilkinson.
Jones and Libby immediately were transported to Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, where they were treated for severe hypothermia. They were released on Monday.

The accident remains under investigation. Two of the snowmobiles were unregistered.  It is safe to say that without the immediate assistance of Rick Gaeth, the outcome would have been very different.

While these four lucky young people have merely an interesting tale to tell their grandchildren, four other snowmobilers were not so lucky this weekend in Maine.  The Maine Warden Service is to step up patrols following four fatal snowmobile accidents over the weekend, a spokeswoman said yesterday.

"It means more people out on the trails. . . . It's twofold. It's enforcement and education," said Deborah Turcotte of the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Authorities said a 24-year-old Bristol man was killed early yesterday when he hit a tree in Bremen. The victim was identified as Matthew Budrow. Authorities said he was riding alone and not wearing a helmet.  That accident is considered related to speed - Budrow failed to negotiate a turn because he was traveling at a higher rate of speed than was prudent for the conditions.

It was the state's fourth fatal snowmobile accident since Friday night and the eighth since January 4.  In addition, three more people died in snowmobile accidents in late December, bringing the total for the season to 11.  The record for Maine snowmobile deaths in a season is currently 12.

This is not even taking into account the injuries and near-fatalities this year, bringing the casualty rate much higher.  And there is plenty more winter to go, as this season seems to want to hang on forever.

In northern Maine, this is tourist season.  People from all over New England and northern New York bring their machines to Maine to enjoy the rare ride over a frozen lake, or enjoy Maine’s groomed trails.  But too often, these visitors - and locals, too - forget some very basic rules of the off-road.

•  Take a safety course.  If you are a new snowmobiler, or haven’t ridden in a while, a safety course can save your life.  Courses are six hours in length, and teach proper operation and safety, snowmobile laws, emergencies and survival, the use of map and compass, self-help first aid, and environmental/landowner/ethics.  Residents and nonresidents alike must register their snowmobiles.  For information about how and where to do so, visit the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.

•  Know the limits of your machine, and keep your machine well-tuned.  Make sure your lights are working, and be sure your sled is running properly before setting out.

•  Stick to the trails. Snowmobile clubs all over Maine groom trails and keep them safe.  If you go off-trail, you don’t know what’s under the snow, your heavy machine, and you.  Ride to the right.  Know hand signals, and let your fellow riders know what you’re planning well in advance.  When you have to cross a roadway, check twice and then check again before crossing.

•  Dress properly for the ride.  This includes winter wear, including long underwear, snowpants, warm coat, gloves, hat, and boots, and yes, a helmet.  A helmet can save your life.  The Bristol victim this weekend was not wearing a helmet.  Passengers should also wear a helmet.

•   Never snowmobile alone.  Snowmobiling together probably saved the lives of the young people on Damariscotta Lake this weekend.  Together, you can pull a fellow rider out of the water or lift a sled off someone whose sled has rolled over.  Alone, you’re pretty helpless.

•  Water, water everywhere.  Ice should be thick and blue, or it’s not safe to ride on.  Don’t cross a lake at night, when you can’t see the ice.  If there has been a warm spell, go around the water.  Hypothermia sets in very quickly if you’re wet - don’t risk it.

•   File a trip itinerary with a responsible person.  Know where you’re planning to go and when you’re planning to get back, so your friend, parent, or innkeeper can inform authorities if you’re not back as planned.

•  Always, always, ride sober.  Many of the accidents this season have been related to alcohol use.

•  Be aware of weather conditions and ride safely for conditions.  Do not speed, which has also been a lethal factor this year.  Alcohol and/or speed have been responsible for nearly all the fatalities this season.

•  Be careful around wildlife.  In a contest between a moose and a sled, the moose will win.  Do not harass wildlife - it’s their home, not yours.

Winter in Maine is about outdoor fun, but be smart about it.  Ride safely and together.  For more information, visit the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website at http://www.state.me.us/ifw/.  For information about the trails, visit the Maine Snowmobile Association at mesnow.com.