Citizen volunteers rescue snowmobiler from St. John River

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ST. FRANCIS –At approximately 7 p.m. Saturday evening, Jan. 26, game wardens responded to a report of two snowmobiles that had gone through the ice on the St. John River in St. Francis. Information indicated one of the subjects was still in the water. Several citizen volunteers and members of the St. Francis Fire Department were assisting on scene. Rescuers pulled Travis Albert, 28, of St. Francis, to safety as game wardens arrived on the scene.

STUCK - People in St. Francis rescued Travis Albert on Saturday after his snowmobile fell through the St. John River - image courtesy of Maine Warden Sergeant Jeffrey F. Spencer

Both Albert and his friend Joshua Jandreau, 28, and also from St. Francis, had been traveling upriver by snowmobile on separate machines when they drove onto unstable ice near an open channel. Albert was unable to make it across and became submerged in the water.

Albert’s Yamaha Phazer became stuck and the ice flow held it up. Jandreau was able to leave and call for help, and then he returned to show rescue personnel where Albert had been clinging to the ice pack for over 20 minutes.

Albert was transported by ambulance to Northern Maine Medical Center where he received treatment for hypothermia and a broken rib.

Law enforcement subsequently took Albert into custody for several outstanding arrest warrants.

This case remains under investigation.