SOUTH THOMASTON – Roadwork on Buttermilk Lane in South Thomaston came to a pause for less than an hour, Tuesday, after a motorcycle crash occurred outside of the roadwork zone.

Shortly before 11:25 a.m., Aug. 4, a long line of idling westbound vehicles were waiting for the one-lane zone to turn in their favor when the motorcycle operator pulled up from behind. The operator attempted to go around the vehicles and over a bend at the crest of the windy road. Coming down the other side, he appeared to slam on his brakes at the sight of more vehicles and obstacles in the traffic zone. Witnessing the final wobble and loss of control happened to deputy from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office who was also idling in line in his cruiser.

The bike and operator managed to veer off the road in the opposite lane near 177 Buttermilk Lane.

Up and down the stretch of road, from MaineDOT to local construction to the deputy himself, statements were made of how glad they were that the motorcyclist survived, though injured, and that the operator managed to avoid any other vehicles.

South Thomaston Ambulance transported the patient to MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital while South Thomaston FD assisted at the scene. Construction traffic controllers kept the road closed for the sake of the crash scene. Creek Hill hauled away the motorcycle.

August 4 is the first day of the Buttermilk Lane roadwork.

The plan description: Drainage Maintenance.

Ditching and replacing culvert (#106902) on Buttermilk Lane in South Thomaston and Thomaston. Beginning at the intersection of Route 73 in South Thomaston and extending 2.88 miles north to the intersection of Route 1 in Thomaston