On Sept. 3 at 2:34 p.m., Lincoln County Communications dispatched Boothbay Fire & Rescue, Boothbay Regional Ambulance, and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office to respond to a single-vehicle accident located at 184 Wiscasset Road, adjacent to the Zak Preserve. 

Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found the vehicle located in the northbound lane with a large hole in the windshield of the Audi SUV, and with an approximately 20-pound turkey located in the passenger-side compartment. 

The driver, who was struck by the bird and glass, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by Boothbay Regional Ambulance EMTs. The two other occupants of the vehicle were not injured. 

The driver noted that the turkey originally impacted a semi-tractor trailer traveling in the southbound lane, then careened into their car. Fire and police officials credit the driver with excellent composure and very quick thinking to safely bring the car to a stop in his lane of travel. 

Traffic at the accident scene was restricted to single-lane travel for over an hour as fire and EMS personnel secured the scene, provided medical attention, and removed the car in conjunction with Hawke Motors. 

Boothbay Fire and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office remind the public to remain vigilant for wildlife traversing roadways and, as a tip, to mentally rehearse what actions should be taken to respond to a wildlife motor vehicle impact to bring a vehicle to a safe stop.