CAMDEN — A Lincolnville resident escaped what could have been a “very serious” accident on Route 52 in Camden late Saturday afternoon, when a large tree splintered at its base, broke off and crashed down on his pickup truck while he was driving along the roadway.

Walter Weed, 59, was traveling on Route 52, on the Camden side that rounds Megunticook Lake around 4:30 p.m. when the accident occurred. Marine Patrol Sgt. Matt Talbot was assisting a motorist at the nearby boat launch when he learned of the accident and notified Camden police. Sgt. Daniel Brown, who responded to the scene with Talbot.

Brown said that Weed told him that just after he passed the boat launch, he noticed there was a tree branch that was hanging a little lower than normal in his lane on the roadway. When Weed got to the branch, the base of the tree broke free and it, along with the rest of the tree, came crashing down on to his 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.

The tree damaged the windshield, rear window, front hood and headlights of the vehicle, causing approximately $3,500 in damage.

“Luckily Mr. Weed was not hurt in what could have been a very serious accident,” said Brown, who added that nobody was behind Weed or coming in the opposite lane when the tree came down. He also said that Weed was driving slowly, maybe even a bit more cautiously due to seeing the low-hanging branch ahead of time.

Note: Story was edited to correct Camden Sgt. Daniel Brown’s first name.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 207-706-6655.