Family Escapes After Vehicle Crashes Into Icy Maine Pond

A frightening situation ended safely Sunday afternoon after a family escaped from a vehicle that slid off the road and into an icy pond in Lyman.

Goodwins Mills Fire-Rescue says crews were dispatched to Alfred Road at approximately 2:40 p.m. after receiving reports that a vehicle had crashed into a nearby pond. Initial information indicated that a family may have been trapped inside the vehicle, prompting an urgent response from emergency crews.

According to WGME, the occupants were able to exit the vehicle on their own before first responders arrived at the scene. Bystanders who witnessed the crash stopped to help, and nearby residents provided warmth and care to the family as they waited for emergency personnel.

WGME reported that there is no immediate word on whether anyone was injured as a result of the crash. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, though icy conditions may have played a role.

Following the incident, Goodwins Mills Fire-Rescue used the situation as an opportunity to remind the public about vehicle safety in water emergencies. Officials say if a vehicle enters water, occupants should remain calm, unbuckle their seatbelts, and exit the vehicle as quickly as possible, helping children out first, before the vehicle becomes fully submerged.

Emergency responders also stress the importance of winter driving caution, especially on rural roads where icy patches can be difficult to see. Officials say quick thinking by the family, along with help from bystanders and neighbors, likely prevented a much more serious outcome.