HOPE — Given the route of entry into a ditch behind a guard rail on Main Street, in Hope, no speculation was voiced as to how the car would be removed. Bystanders to the aftermath of this single-vehicle crash that snapped a utility pole, Jan. 27, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., near 120 Main Street (Route 17) naturally assumed that the Camden Exxon wrecker would follow the same tire tracks, in reverse, and pull out the wreckage.

Surprise rippled through the scene when Camden Exxon acknowledged a disinterest in that course of action, instead opting to throw chain down from the roadside and lift the vehicle into suspension over the snowpacked embankment and then lift the vehicle over the rail.

Following extrication by Hope Fire Department, with the assistance of Rockport FD, for one of the three occupants, ambulances representing North East Mobile Health, Union, and Rockport transported all three occupants to Pen Bay Hospital with varying degrees of non-lifethreatening injuries and assessments. In the meantime, another North East crew was called elsewhere for a different medical issue, Rockland EMS was called mutual aid to Rockport for a medical call in that town while also dealing with a medical call in Rockland. A deputy was also called away from the Main Street scene to help with a vehicle off the road at Searsmont Road and Camden Road when people who'd stopped to assist ended up with damage to their own vehicle as well.

In Hope, traffic came to a standstill westbound along the Hope-Rockport town line.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash, which occurred just after the westbound vehicle had come up over the hill into Hope. No road obstacles were noted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Speed is being considered as a possible contribution to the crash.

The car was hauled from scene at 1 p.m. At 1:50 p.m., Hope FD transferred traffic control to Central Maine Power, who remain on scene to replace the pole and restore power to the immediate area.