LIMESTONE, Maine – The Maine Warden Service located a missing elderly fisherman who spent the night wandering the woods after his boat broke down.
In the early hours of July 5th, the Maine Warden Service received a call just after midnight reporting a vehicle that had an empty boat trailer attached to it and been parked at the Trafton Lake boat landing since early morning on July 4th. The operator of the boat had not been seen on the water nor at his/her vehicle. At approximately 2:45 am., Game Warden Ed Christie located a boat belonging to Michael Labreck, age 70 of Limestone, anchored to shore approximately one mile from the boat landing. It was unknown at this time where Labreck was as he had not been reported missing or overdue at this time.
Warden Christie and Sgt Adrian Marquis returned to the boat landing later in the morning on July 5th to find Labreck's vehicle had not moved. Wardens went back to the boat and found it was still anchored to shore. At that point, Warden K-9 Ash and handler Warden Kayle Hamilton were called to the scene as well as Wardens Ryan Fitzpatrick, James Gushee, and Megan Seeley.
Wardens searched the woods and fields with the assistance of Forest Ranger drone pilots as well as the lake by watercraft. At approximately 4:40 p.m. yesterday, Warden Kayle Hamilton returned to a location after receiving information from a nearby camper of a elderly male in the area late the night before. Shortly after searching that area, Warden Hamilton advised that he had located Labreck, alive. Labreck stated he had mechanical issues with his watercraft and was attempting to walk back to his vehicle but got turned around in the woods.
Labreck was treated by Caribou EMS and was transported to Cary Med center as his body temp was at 94 degrees and in the early stages of Hypothermia.
The Maine Warden Service was assisted in the search by Maine Forest Rangers and Caribou EMS. This release will be updated if any new information becomes available.