(Maine) Governor injured in car accident

[MaineDem]

BREAKING:
Governor Baldacci is reported to have been injured in a car crash this morning on Route 95 near Exit 25 in Bowdoinham.

http://news.mainetoday.com/midday/index.shtml#1

[MaineDem]

1. Update

Maine State Police spokesman Steve McCausland said he didn't know the extent of the governor's injuries, but said they were not life-threatening.

McCausland said the governor was in a sport utility vehicle driven by a state police detective when the accident occurred about 6 a.m. near Exit 25 on Interstate 295 in Bowdoinham.

The governor was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland by an ambulance from Brunswick.

McCausland said there have been many car accidents around the state Wednesday morning due to icy roads, but he said there was no word if the governor's accident was caused by black ice.

http://news.mainetoday.com/midday/index.shtml#4

[Rowdyboy]

2. Thanks for the update

Please let us know more as you receive the information.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

3. My thoughts, prayers and best wishes are extended to the Governor

and his family

[MarianJack]

4. I Had a Scary Moment...

...this morning when my wife's Cherokee went into a ditch off of I-95 in Augusta (our state capitol). She got it out just as I was getting into my car to go to her.

Hopefully, the Gov. will be O.K. also.

I think that Maine is the greatest place to live in the world, but you don't mess around with the winters up here!

[Maine-i-acs]

5. Here's to a speedy recovery, Governor -

John Baldacci's a good guy, and a great Democrat. Glad to hear he's going to come out OK!

[Ediacara]

6. UPDATE FROM BOSTON GLOBE

From the article:
--------------------
Maine State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland said the governor and his state police bodyguard, Detective James Trask, were admitted to Maine Medical Center where they were being evaluated. He said their injuries were not life-threatening.

Baldacci's spokesman, Lee Umphrey, said the governor and Trask initially were fading in and out of consciousness following the accident.

Umphrey did not know the full extent of injuries, but said the governor did not suffer any broken bones and was undergoing a CT scan and other tests at the Portland hospital, where his wife planned to join him.
--------------------

Full story at the Boston Globe

[MaineDem]

7. Update - Governor to stay overnight in hospital after car accident

PORTLAND -- Gov. John Baldacci told doctors his car accident Wednesday morning was like a roller coaster, and that he was thankful he was wearing his seat belt.

The governor and his state police bodyguard, Det. James Trask, were taken to Maine Medical Center following the accident when the sport utility vehicle the governor was in went off Interstate 295 and rolled onto its roof.

Dr. Brad Cushing, the director of the hospital's trauma center, says the governor's injuries are not life threatening, but he was being kept in the intensive care unit for privacy purposes.

Cushing says Gov. Baldacci and Trask suffered bumps and bruises. He says both men will remain in the hospital overnight while doctors manage their pain. Gov. Baldacci was listed in fair condition. Trask was listed in satisfactory condition.

http://news.mainetoday.com/midday/index.shtml#10

[Ediacara]

8. do we know if this was a weather related accident?

I am assuming it is, and am glad the gov's ok :-) Just want to know for sure.

[MaineDem]

9. I'm assuming so

The weather was crappy. We had snow here but toward the coast it ws icy.

I heard there were other skidding accidents.

[yellowcanine]

10. Another SUV Rollover Accident: Ice +SUV=Rollover.

Icy roads and SUVs are a deadly combination. The SUV starts skidding sideways, hits a dry patch of pavement, and its high center of gravity flips it over. If it is icy, leave the SUV at home. Other problem is that SUV drivers think because they have 4WD and can go in the snow that also means they are less likely to skid - wrong. They are just as likely to skid and MORE likely to rollover than a 2WD sedan.