Edgecomb Fire Chief, Roy Potter was injured during an early morning crash that resulted in the death of two horses Dec. 21 on Rt. 27 in Edgecomb.
A horse owned by Janet Blevins of Edgecomb was killed instantly and a second equine, also owned by Blevins, has since had to be euthanized as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
According to Potter, he was traveling southbound on his way to work at St. Andrews Village at approximately 3 a.m. As he crested a hill on Route 27 near Chase Associates, he saw two horses coming toward him.
“The horses were running hard and very close together,” Potter said. “It was somewhat dreamlike and the last thing I’d ever expect to see at that hour of the morning. I attempted to avoid them but I quickly realized that wasn’t going to be possible. Suddenly the larger of the two horses was coming up onto the hood of my truck and I tried to lean over so I could be out of the way. I felt certain it was coming right through the windshield.”
Potter says that as he tried to lean to the right in an effort to minimalize potential injury he noticed the seatbelt restricted his movement. He turned his head as his glasses were knocked off his face.
“I’m convinced that it was the horse’s nose coming through the windshield that knocked my glasses off,” he said.
“After the impact, I was a bit confused,” explained Potter. The horse was no longer on the hood of the truck, but was lying on the road in front of me. I knew I had to call Lincoln County Communications but I couldn’t find my two way radio. I did find my cell phone but without my glasses, I was unable to see the numbers or the contacts I’d programmed into it. Finally, I was able to dial 9-1-1 and let them know what had happened. When the dispatcher asked if I was injured, I didn’t know what to tell her. I knew I was bleeding, but I had no idea to what extent. As events progressed, I could hear everyone being paged out and I knew help was on the way.”
Potter says he could not get himself out of his truck because the door would not open, but a passing motorist stopped to assist him and with that person’s help, he was able to get out of the vehicle.
As emergency responders began to arrive, Potter let them know he had seen a second horse but didn’t know where it was. That horse was eventually found just north of the accident scene and Wiscasset Veterinarian, Tammy Doughty of Woodbrook Animal Clinic was called to assess its injuries.
“The horse that was found dead at the scene was a Thoroughbred mare weighing probably 1200 pounds,” Doughty said. “The smaller of the two was found up the road from the accident scene and I initially treated it for shock. After examining the animal, I became suspicious of a possible fractured pelvis as well as internal injuries and realized its condition was beyond what I could do for it in the field. The mare needed to go into a hospital situation and was sent to Anabassacook ABC Clinic in Monmouth where her injuries were assessed. I have heard that they felt the internal injuries were too great for the mare to respond and she was euthanized.”
Along with members of the Edgecomb Fire Department, local Animal Control Officers Betsy Pratt and Andrea Orne responded to the scene as well as David Pratt, a member of the Boothbay Fire Department.
Edgecomb resident Peter Kenyon and his wife, April, also responded to the scene and assisted in finding the second injured horse. Several calls by Pratt and Orne were made to local horse owners whose help proved invaluable in finding out the identity of the two horses involved in the accident and locate their owner. Members of the Wiscasset Ambulance Department also responded to the scene.
“As Edgecomb’s fire chief, I’m usually on the rescuing side of things,” said Potter. “Being on the other side this time, it was good to see the friendly faces of Roland Abbott and the Wiscasset Ambulance crew. I truly appreciate all they did to help.”
According to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Justin Drake, Potter was unable to avoid hitting the horse head on. However, with the investigation still pending at press time, he was unable to comment extensively on the accident.
“It was an unfortunate situation for everyone involved,” said Drake. “I spoke to the fire chief briefly at the scene of the accident but he was discharged to the hospital. The owners of the horses actually have another home in Southport and that is where they were at the time the accident occurred.”
Drake said this kind of accident resembles that of a passenger car colliding with a moose.
“It’s a large animal with long legs,” said Drake. “If Mr. Potter had been driving a smaller vehicle, it would’ve been very bad.”
Janet Blevins is the owner of Knight Equestrian Books, located on Route 27 in Edgecomb. She could not be reached for comment. Potter says he hopes to have the opportunity to let Blevins know how badly he feels about the death of both horses and realizes the deep attachment that many horse owners have to their animals.
Potter’s 2002 GMC Sierra extended cab pickup truck is believed to be a total loss and at press time, he had not been able to work since the accident. Although he may have escaped any long term injuries as a result of the accident, Potter says the image of the two horses running toward him in the night continues to haunt his memory.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get that image out of my mind,” said Potter. “The sight of those two horses coming at me in the darkness and the sound of the crash, is a hard thing to forget.”
