A 20 year-old male Appalachian Trail (AT) through-hiker drowned while swimming in Pierce Pond in Bowtown TWP yesterday evening.  Witnesses say that the man had hiked nearly 20 miles on the AT earlier in the day and stated he attempted to swim across a small cove near the outlet of Pierce Pond.  The man went under about 35 yards from shore.  Rescue personnel eventually located the deceased in nearly 15 feet of water, but could not retrieve him.

Game Warden Sergeant Glenn Annis, Wardens Josh Bubier, Dan Carroll, Kris MacCabe and volunteers retrieved the victim at 11:30 PM. Pleasant Ridge Fire and Upper Kennebec Valley Ambulance personnel assisted at the scene. The victims name is not being released at this time but will be provided as soon as notifications have been made to family.

Image courtesy Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife