The Office of the State Medical Examiner says death of a Long Island lobsterman Wednesday was accidental.

Steven Michael Hanson, 59, known to his many friends on the island as Mike, was found at 6:35 a.m. Wednesday by two men who were walking to catch the morning ferry to the mainland, police said.

It appears Hanson’s head injury was likely caused by a fall outside his home sometime late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, police said. His body was found in the driveway where he likely dragged himself before being overcome.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, which provides law enforcement for the island, called in the State Police, which investigates most of the state’s homicides. A team of detectives with crime scene analysis equipment and a police canine spent the day investigating the area around Hanson’s home at 587 Island Ave., one of just a few year-round homes on that stretch of road.

Lt. Brian McDonough of the state police said the nature of the death was being classified as “undetermined” but that there were aspects of the scene that were troubling. He would not elaborate on what police found.

The medical examiner reported Thursday that the death was accidental, but the final conclusion is still awaiting the results of blood tests.

David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at:

dhench@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @Mainehenchman


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.