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Game wardens rescue missing New Sharon man, 75, stuck in bog four days

"Emergency rescue personnel said Altmaier was in surprisingly good condition despite spending the last four days laying in the area of the bog."

WELD, Maine — A man from New Sharon who had been missing for four days was found Friday afternoon by game wardens.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife spokesperson Mark Latti said in a news release that 75-year-old Michael Altmaier, who was last seen Monday, had apparently fallen off a ledge in Weld.

Altmaier was last seen leaving his residence Monday and driving on Colby Miller Road in Wilton, Latti said. 

"He was headed to a scheduled meeting in Weld, but never appeared," the release stated. "His car was later discovered [Thursday] night by Mount Blue State Park Staff at the Mount Blue State Park Scenic Overlook which is off the Center Hill Road in Weld." 

The Maine Warden Service began searching for Altmaier Friday morning, and at about 3:45 p.m., located him with the help of a K-9 along a bog about three-quarters of a mile from where his vehicle was located. 

"It is believed Altmaier had fallen down over a ledged embankment Monday and likely became disoriented and ended up in the area of the bog that evening where he eventually had fallen and was unable to get up," the release said.

In addition to game wardens, search volunteers with the Maine Association for Search and Rescue, as well as a paramedic, arrived at Altmaier's location and provided an initial assessment and first aid.

At about 6 p.m., a helicopter with the Maine Forest Service arrived and took Altmaier to an awaiting ambulance. He was then taken to an area hospital and admitted for observation overnight, according to Latti.

"Emergency Rescue Personnel said Altmaier was in surprisingly good condition despite spending the last 4 days laying in the area of the bog," Latti added.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Maine Search and Rescue Dogs, Bureau of Parks and Land Staff, NorthStar EMS, and Weld Fire Department also assisted.


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