Massachusetts Man Dies in Madrid Snowmobile Crash

A Massachusetts man is dead after crashing his snowmobile in the town of Madrid.

The Maine Warden Service says speed appears to have been a factor in the accident that happened at around 10:30 Friday night. 34-year-old Ryan Ducharme of Spencer, Massachusetts was traveling on a connector trail on the Beech Hill Road to his camp with his brother and two other snowmobilers. Shortly before they got to camp, Ducharme's brother notice that Ryan was no longer riding behind him. Ryan was the last in the line of snowmobilers.

The brother doubled back to search for him and found Ryan off the trail, where he had crashed his sled into some trees. Ryan was unresponsive, so his brother notified 911. When NorthStar EMS arrived, they pronounced him dead at the scene.

An initial investigation indicated to wardens that Ducharme was traveling too fast for the conditions when his sled left the trail. He was wearing a helmet and wardens say alcohol does not appear to have been a factor.

The Maine Warden Service was aided, at the scene, by Northstar EMS, Phillips Fire Department, and the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.