WALDOBORO — The Waldoboro Police Department, Fire and EMS responded to the report of a vehicle submerged in the Medomak River at the intersection of Atlantic Highway and Kalers Korner Road in Waldoboro Sunday morning, March 25, at approximately 7 a.m.  

According to a news release from Police Chief Bill Labombarde, when police arrived at the scene, they observed a vehicle on its roof and partially submerged in the river. Waldoboro Fire Department attempted an ice water rescue but they were unable to confirm if any victims were inside the vehicle.  

Maine State Police, Marine Patrol and the Maine Warden Service also responded to the scene.

“A diver from Marine Patrol Services, with the assistance of the Maine State Police dive team, were able to get the registration number from the vehicle and confirm that there was a deceased victim in the car,” Labombarde said. 

The victim has been identified as 48-year-old Melissa Sawyer, of Damariscotta.  

Friends and family members of the victim gathered in the Waldoboro Town Office Conference Room where a death notification was made, according to Labombarde. 

Waldoboro Police and Fire shut down traffic on Route 1 and Kalers Korner Road for approximately one hour while a crane removed the vehicle from the river. The Lincoln County Communications Center confirmed that the vehicle was removed from the river at approximately 10:45 a.m.

The vehicle was then transported to the Waldoboro Fire Department where the victim was extricated and transported to Halls Funeral Home in Waldoboro..  

The vehicle was impounded and transported by Hillside Collision pending further investigation.  

The accident is currently under investigation by the Waldoboro Police Department as well as a reconstruction team from Knox County Sheriff’s Department, according to Labombarde.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com