Men from Bangor, Lewiston Killed in Weekend Snowmobile Crashes

Two separate snowmobile accidents over the weekend claimed the lives of men from Bangor and Lewiston.

According to the Maine Warden Service. 42-year-old Andrew Purdue of Bangor died after he was unable to stop at a snowmobile trail intersection. Purdue was driving his 1993 Polaris XLT on ITS 83, near the Medford/Lakeview town line when he passed a member of his riding party at a high rate of speed. He failed to stop at an intersection, slid through it, and crashed into some trees. After losing consciousness, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead just before 2:00 Sunday afternoon.

In a separate accident, 38-year-old Shawn Chamberlain died while traveling south in Somerset County. Wardens say the Lewiston man was driving his 2018 Polaris 800 XC along ITS 88 in Taunton & Raynham Academy Grant at around 5:00 Saturday evening when he failed to negotiate a turn and struck a tree. Chamberlain's riding partner witnessed the accident and began CPR immediately, then flagged down a passing motorist, who called 911. Game Wardens and emergency medical personnel continued CPR, but were unsuccessful in reviving him. Wardens believe speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the crash. The incident remains under investigation.