CARIBOU, Maine — The higher elevations of Route 161 were dangerous on Wednesday morning, March 1, as freezing rains and temperatures fluctuating between 31 and 33 F created icy roads. Surface conditions contributed to as many as three accidents between Caribou and New Canada.
North Lakes Fire and Rescue Chief Darren Woods reported that three accidents occurred between 7:10 and 8:30 a.m. on Route 161: the first two, occurring at roughly the same time, took place near the Ouellette road and Disy road while the third incident happened just south of New Canada.
Caribou Fire and Ambulance assisted with the Ouellette Road accident, in which a woman driving a GMC Envoy heading south came across icy roads just north of Cross Lake at approximately 7:30 a.m., according to Caribou Firefighter Scott Jackson. The unidentified woman lost control of her vehicle and left the road, coming to a stop with the car on its side.
Jackson said the woman was uninjured.
There are few details regarding the accident on the Disy Road.
In the New Canada accident, a pickup received extensive damage after it slid across the road, spinning, smashed into a snowbank, and struck a telephone pole with its rear end. The force of the accident tore the rear tires from beneath the pickup.
A Maine State Trooper arrived within minutes of the accident, apparently also on his way to the incident near Cross Lake. The trooper remained at the scene of the pickup accident after alerting the dispatcher.
As of 9 a.m., Woods said no one had reported injuries. “Crews are still cleaning up the scene south of New Canada and directing traffic,” he said
Caribou Fire and Ambulance responded to one of three accidents occurring on Route 161 this morning. According to Caribou Firefighter Scott Jackson, a woman driving this GMC Envoy lost control of her vehicle and came to a stop with the car on its side. No injuries were reported.
(Andrew Birden)
“We’re waiting to hear what the guys in the ambulance say when they get back,” said Caribou Fire Chief Scott Susi. “I know there were three accidents, and we’ve received additional calls, so there could be more, or those could have been callbacks for the first accidents. It’s hard to say at this point.”
According to Woods, North Lakes Fire and Rescue, ASI (Ambulance Service, Inc.), Caribou Fire and Ambulance, the Sheriff’s Department, and the State Police all assisted with the three incidents.
Woods said that black ice was a significant factor in the accidents, which were all rollovers, and that rainy conditions deceptively gave the impression that roads were clear of ice.
“We’d like people to remember that air temperature and road temperature can be different,” Woods said. “It could be 33 degrees with rain and the road surface could be much colder, which causes black ice, so it’s good to be cautious.”
Woods said he was pleased with the manner in which his crew divided into three groups to tend to each incident, and thankful for assistance from outside departments.
