The latest news about Maine lakes and ponds.

Boats Searching Lake for Missing Snowmobiler

January 12, 2010 - VASSALBORO -- The search for Richard "Shaw" Jackson of South China was refocused Wednesday on a specific area of China Lake, where searchers found snowmobile tracks that stopped at open water.

Jackson, an 18-year-old junior at Erskine Academy, was last seen Friday night on his snowmobile.

The Maine Warden Service operated four boats in the west basin of China Lake on Wednesday morning, searching the waters around Bradley Island. Wardens said they recently discovered snowmobile tracks that ran over an icy part of the lake known as The Narrows, and stopped near the small island.

Lt. Kevin Adam, the state's search and rescue coordinator, said search crews would focus on a 300-acre site. The water's depth in the area ranges from about 18 to 70 feet, Adam said.

"We're hoping to find a snowmobile in the water. If we don't, we'll re-evaluate," Adam said. "It's prudent for us to search this area. There were no other traces of him anywhere."

According to the Warden Service, Jackson was last seen about 8:30 p.m. Friday. He had left Pinkham's Corner Fuel on Route 32 in South China, where he had repairs done to his black Yamaha snowmobile. He was believed to be on the mile-long ride to his parents' home when he disappeared.

The Maine Warden Service said its office was notified at 6 a.m. Saturday that Jackson hadn't returned home. Since then, wardens, police, firefighters and volunteers from snowmobile clubs have scoured the area.

Adam said Jackson did not have to ride onto China Lake to get home.

The circumstances of his disappearance suggest that "something happened to him very quickly," Adam said. "In my experience, when someone disappears quickly and there's no contact with family or friends, that typically tells me that something tragic happened."

Wednesday morning, Adam said he expected search crews to be out on the lake for at least two days.

The boats are equipped with sonar devices from Maine State Police, and divers are prepared to go into the water, Adam said. The search included two New Hampshire fish and game officials with underwater cameras.

By SCOTT MONROE, Morning Sentinel January 7, 2010


Lakes: China Lake
Regions: Belgrade


Print this story

Email this story

return to Lake News