KATAHDIN IRON WORKS TOWNSHIP – An Atkinson man was airlifted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor Sunday morning after the snowmobile he was riding crashed into trees, according to the warden investigating the accident.

Emergency medical technicians at the scene reported that Caleb Newt, 20, may have a broken shoulder and broken ribs, Warden Rick Clowry said.

Newt was the second of three sledders on the well-worn trails that were more suitable for speeds of 30 mph and not the 40 to 50 mph he was going, Clowry said.

Newt likely was trying to get to the softer snow on the side when he was thrown a short distance into the trees, the warden said.

“His right ski dropped off the trail into the soft snow, and it sucked him right into the woods,” Clowry said.

Newt was saved from more serious injuries because he was wearing a helmet, Clowry said. His condition at EMMC was not immediately available.