UNION —A passenger in Randy Heald's truck was flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor this morning after his truck hit a patch of black ice on Route 17 in Union and ended in the ditch on its roof.

Heald, 32, of Jefferson, was driving a 2001 GMC truck around 6:30 a.m. Nov. 20 when he encountered black ice in the eastbound lane of Route 17 near the Wottons Mill Road intersection, according to Knox County Chief Deputy Tim Carroll. Heald's truck slid sideways, crossing over to the other side of the road before rolling over into the ditch.

Heald was uninjured in the crash, but a passenger, Derek Hinkley, 28, also of Jefferson, had to be extricated from the truck by by Union Fire Department with assistance from Camden First Aid Access Team. Union Ambulance Service transported Hinkley down the road to meet a LifeFlight of Maine helicopter due to possible head, neck and back injuries.

Carroll said Hinkley is currently at EMMC, where he is listed in fair condition.

The vehicle was totalled in the crash.

Road crews were called to a large stretch of Route 17, near the Union and Hope town line, Tuesday morning to sand as the road was reportedly covered with black ice.

"A reminder that cold weather is here and that especially in the early morning hours, particularly where the road is shaded, black ice will remain on the roads longer. Please be careful and alert to the weather and road conditions," said Carroll in an email around noon Tuesday.

Hope Fire Department also assisted Union fire and rescue crews at the site where the helicopter landed.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.