Game wardens continue to investigate a fatal commercial rafting incident in West Forks Plantation, according to a news release from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Richard Sanders, 67, of York, died June 3 after being ejected from a raft on the Dead River. Sanders was on a commercial rafting trip guided by North Country Rivers based out of Bingham. Game wardens responded shortly after 2 this afternoon.

Sanders was in a raft carrying seven passengers to include the guide. Game wardens say all passengers were ejected when the raft flipped on a remote portion of the river called Mile Long Rapid. Some witnesses indicated Sanders might have been submerged in the river for several minutes. He was pulled from the water and lifesaving measures were performed by North Country Rivers employees as well as civilians. Those attempts were unsuccessful.

Sanders was wearing a lifejacket as required by law and helmet as required by the rafting company's policy. West Forks Fire and Rescue as well as the Somerset County Sheriff's Department assisted on scene. Game wardens continue to investigate this incident. No photos are available.