A York man was killed Saturday afternoon in a commercial rafting accident in West Forks Plantation, the Maine Warden Service said.
Richard Sanders, 67, and six other people, including the guide, were ejected when their raft flipped over on the Dead River, said Cpl. John MacDonald, a spokesman for the warden service.
The trip was guided by North Country Rivers out of Bingham, said MacDonald.
Game wardens responded to the scene shortly after 2 p.m.
“Game wardens say all passengers were ejected when the raft flipped on a remote portion of the river called Mile Long Rapid,” MacDonald said. “Some witnesses indicated Sanders might have been submerged in the river for several minutes.”
Lifesaving measures were performed but were unsuccessful. Sanders was wearing a life jacket in line with state law, and a helmet as required by the rafting company’s policy, MacDonald said.
West Forks Fire and Rescue and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene.
Game wardens continue to investigate the incident, MacDonald said.
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