FRYEBURG — A Denmark bicyclist was seriously injured Thursday afternoon when the draft from a passing tractor-trailer forced him off Route 302, police said.
Bradford Lanoue, 67, was flown from Bridgton Hospital to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, acting police Chief Joshua Potvin said in a news release. A nursing supervisor said information on Lanoue’s condition was not being released.
Potvin said Lanoue was riding west down Hapgood Hill just before 2 p.m. when a tractor-trailer traveling west passed him. The truck reportedly startled Lanoue and the draft forced his bike to leave the pavement. Lanoue lost control, crashed into shrubs and was thrown from the bike.
Potvin said officers found Lanoue conscious but severely injured. He was not wearing a helmet.
“The contour of this stretch of roadway is extremely dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. The shoulder of the roadway where this occurred does not offer cyclists with a smooth transition off the pavement,” Potvin said.
The truck driver did not stop. Police suspect the person was not aware of the bicyclist crashing behind him because of the curve in the road, Potvin said.
He said the law requires motorists to provide at least 3 feet of clearance when passing bicycles. A witness to the accident reported the truck driver gave the bicyclist ample room, Potvin said.
Lt. Mike McAllister said Friday morning that there are no pending charges, and the case is still under investigation.
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- Bicyclist Bradford Lanoue, 67, of Denmark was seriously injured Thursday afternoon in an accident on this stretch of Route 302 in Fryeburg, acting police Chief Joshua Potvin said.
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- The bicycle of Bradford Lanoue, 67, of Denmark rests in bushes beside Route 302 in Fryeburg after he crashed it Thursday afternoon, acting police Chief Joshua Potvin said. Lanoue was flown to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with serious injuries, Potvin said.
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