Berwick Man Dies After Snowmobile Accident On Valentine’s Day

A Berwick man whose snowmobile broke through thin ice in Berwick on Valentine's Day has died of his injuries.

Corporal John MacDonald of the Maine Warden Service says 59-year-old James Reagan died Saturday, February 23rd at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. He's been a patient there since his snowmobile broke through thin ice on Salmon Falls River. Reagan was driving the sled and had his 25-year-old nephew, Trevor Reagan, on the back when the accident happened just before 6 p.m. on February 14th.

The snowmobile sank to the bottom of the river, while both men were able to get out of the water and back onto the ice. They fell through a second time, however, before making it to shore where James Reagan was unresponsive. Wardens believe he suffered a medical event before being taking to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, where he eventually died of his injuries. The sled was removed from the river since it serves as the public water supply.

This is the 8th snowmobile-related fatality of the season. The Warden Service is reminding all riders to be sure of ice conditions before venturing onto any waterway.