Oxford, Maine Man Dies as a Result of Falling Through thin Ice
The Maine Warden Service is investigating an incident involving a man who died when he fell through the ice while checking his beaver traps. At approximately 2:30 this afternoon, 17-year-old Joshua Wardwell from Oxford, Maine was checking beaver traps on Chapman Pond located off the North Town Farm Road in Oxford when he fell through the ice.
Wardwell’s 15-year-old girlfriend was on shore and witnessed the incident and immediately notified EMS. Oxford and Paris Police, as well as Oxford Fire Department and EMS responded. Oxford Fire Department was able to remove Wardwell from the ice and life-saving measures were started. Wardwell was transported to Stevens Memorial Hospital in Norway where he was pronounced dead.
The Maine Warden Service reminds everyone that thin ice conditions are now present. People must use extreme caution when attempting to access any body of water where ice is present. Be certain to check the ice thickness before venturing out onto the ice. Ice thickness guidelines can be found on our website at mainegamewarden.com.