A Woolwich man was taken by helicopter to a Portland hospital after he was thrown from a motorcycle in a crash on Middle Road, Woolwich on Wednesday, according to a Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post:

“(At) 10:28 a.m. the Sagadahoc County Communications Center received a report of a collision on Route 127 in Woolwich near 355 Middle Road. The crash involved a motorcycle and a Toyota Camry. The operator of the motorcycle had been thrown from the bike.

“The collision occurred as the Toyota Camry, traveling north on Route 127, slowed for a U.S. Postal vehicle that was pulling over to make a delivery. The motorcycle, also traveling north, failed to stop in time or avoid the Camry, hitting it from behind. The operator of the motorcycle, Benson Gilmore, 68, (of) Woolwich was operating a 1981 Honda CBX. (He) was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, however he sustained serious, life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, then taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland by Life Flight helicopter.

“The operator of the 2009 Toyota Camry, Lucas Haferman, 27, Woolwich, was not injured at a result of the collision.

“The investigation is ongoing. Route 127 was closed to traffic for approximately two and a half hours (and) finally opened about 1 p.m. Traffic was re-routed using secondary roads through the town of Woolwich.

“The accident is being investigated by Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Ian Alexander. It is also being reconstructed by Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Detective Brian Carlton, with assistance from the Brunswick Police Department. Woolwich Fire Department and EMS also assisted at the scene as well as Midcoast Hospital MC-1.”

At noon Thursday, Alexander said Gilmore remained in critical condition. “The family is praying, and we’re all praying.”