By Lisa Williams Ackley
Staff Writer

CASCO — Two people were injured, one seriously, when they lost control of a snowmobile while riding on Thomas Pond Sunday afternoon.

Investigators with the Maine Warden Service said Thomas Hartley, 47, of Casco, and Patricia Butler, 41, of Naples, were traveling on a 1997 Ski Doo 600 Formula 3 snowmobile on Thomas Pond in the vicinity of Hartley’s residence on Thomas Pond Shore Road at approximately 12:05 p.m. Sunday when they were ejected after losing control of the vehicle and hit the shoreline tipping the sled onto its side.

The Maine Warden Service interviewed two ice fishermen who said Butler was on the front of the sled and Hartley was sitting behind her, but that Hartley was the one operating it.

Hartley hit his head on an aluminum boatlift, according to Game Warden Pete Herring. He suffered a broken neck, fractured collarbone and head lacerations and was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland where he was initially listed in critical condition. Hartley’s condition was upgraded to serious on Monday.

Butler suffered bruises to her upper body, according to Herring.

Neither was wearing a helmet, Herring said.

Hartley was summonsed for operating under the influence and refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test.

The incident remains under investigation.

Wardens Kris Barboza and Josh Smith, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Casco Fire Department personnel also responded to the snowmobile crash.