Update May 22, 2024:  A Damariscotta resident remains in critical/stable condition May 22 after he was found with a 4-wheeler on top of him, May 18.

According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, preliminary information indicates that Cohen Giberson, 18, of Damariscotta, was operating a 2022 Can-Am 850, All-Terrain Vehicle on the Collinstown Road when it left the roadway, rolled over several times, and struck a tree.

Giberson sustained severe injuries and was flown to a local trauma center.

The exact cause and circumstances are still being investigated. 

KCSO was assisted by Appleton Fire, Union Rescue, Maine Wardens Service, Lifeflight of Maine, and Maine Towing.

APPLETON — An 18-year-old male was flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center via LifeFlight of Maine after the four-wheeler he’d been operating landed on top of him, late Saturday afternoon, May 18, 2024.

The male, who does not live in the Appleton area, had been far ahead of the rest of his riding group along the Collinstown Road. When his friends caught up, they found him on the ground with the vehicle on top of him. 

Appleton Fire Department and Union Rescue responded to the scene following an approximate 4:35 p.m. call to 911. Once enough personnel arrived, they were able to get the vehicle off of him. The male suffered a head wound, among other injuries, necessitating the call for LifeFlight. 

Appleton Village School is a designated landing zone for LifeFlight helicopters, and was able to arrive in approximately 15-20 minutes, which was about the amount of time that ground personnel needed to set up a landing zone, load the patient into the ambulance, and drive to AVS. 

At AVS, LifeFlight personnel and Union Rescue personnel worked together in the ambulance to prepare the patient for the flight. 

The helicopter lifted off again at approximately 5:50 p.m. At that time, AFD and Union Rescue returned to their stations to reload supplies and get ready for any new emergency.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com