MEDIA RELEASE
Incident Date: 7/21/2022
Incident Time: 1625hrs
Incident Location: Sebago Lake Family Campground, Standish, ME
Release Date: 7/21/2022
Release Time: 2330hrs
A 9-year old girl from Poland, Maine was tragically killed this afternoon when a large pine tree fell on the car she was
seated in. The incident occurred at the Sebago Lake Family Campground, where her family was camping.
At approximately 1615hrs, the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center began receiving storm-related 911 calls in the Standish and Sebago area. At that time, a line of severe thunderstorms, including heavy wind and rain was reported in the area. This storm knocked down several trees and utility wires, blocking numerous roads and restricting vehicle travel.
At approximately 1625hrs, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Standish Fire and Rescue, and Sebago Fire and Rescue responded to the Sebago Lake Family Campground, located at 1550 Richville Rd in the Town of Standish for a report of a tree that had fallen on a car. A child was reportedly trapped inside.
Emergency response to the campground was difficult, given numerous road blockages in nearly every direction.
Personnel responding from Standish were stopped approximately 1/10 of a mile from the entrance to the campground, resulting in personnel and equipment arriving on foot. Emergency response from Sebago was also heavily restricted by fallen debris and trees, which had to be quickly cleared to provide vehicle access.
The area around the victim’s campsite sustained heavy damage from multiple trees, including damage to their camper and complete destruction of two vehicles on their campsite. Emergency responders, family members, and campground patrons worked quickly clearing away multiple trees using chain saws, tractors, and a jaws of life tool to extricate the victim. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Other sites within the campground and homes in the surrounding area, particularly the Long Beach and Wards Cove area also sustained heavy damage, with dozens of trees uprooted and/or broken in half. Some of these trees were 24-30 inches in diameter. Many boats, homes, vehicles, and RV-style campers were damaged, but no other significant injuries were reported.
For the family left behind to grieve this unimaginable loss, words cannot describe the devastation of losing a child. The public safety community offers its heart-felt condolences.
Emergency personnel at the scene were also assisted by the Maine Warden Service and Baldwin Fire Department.
Original source can be found here
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