Sun, 11/10/2013 - 2:00pm

SUSAN JOHNS, Staff Reporter

These emergency workers were among the first at the scene of a fatal November 8 crash in Alna. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper

A 27-year-old Jefferson man died in a late night accident when his truck crashed into a tree and went into the Sheepscot River. Wiscasset and Alna firefighters and other emergency workers on Dock Road in Alna late November 8 made a tremendous team effort, Wiscasset Fire Chief T.J. Merry said.

Those who entered the brackish, fast-moving water were dealing with water temperatures probably no greater than 35 or 40 F, Merry said November 9.

Mike Averill of the Alna Fire Department and Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Hatch got the lone accident victim out of the truck, according to officials with those two agencies.

“They deserve a lot of credit. This turned out to be a tragedy, but that was a courageous act those two did last night,” Merry said.

Later, during the search for more potential victims and the recovery of the truck, some Wiscasset firefighters had on special suits Merry said are known as Gumby suits. The suits help keep them dry and are not for diving. Just the opposite: When someone's wearing one, it's nearly impossible for them to become submerged, he said.

“We're very fortunate to have those suits,” Merry said.

Other workers atop the banking kept those in and near the water tethered with ropes.

“It was a tremendous effort. Everyone worked together as a team,” Merry said.

The two fire departments, Wiscasset Ambulance Service and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office were all responding to Friday night's crash that killed a Jefferson man. They recovered his body and searched along the river for any more victims. There were none.

The water was going out at a good current at the time, so rescuers couldn't be sure at first if another victim or victims had been swept away from the truck.

Those who entered the water at various points included Wiscasset Assistant Fire Chief Chris Cossette and Wiscasset firefighter Todd Souza, Merry said.

During Saturday's interview, Merry asked to send his and the other emergency workers' sincere condolences to the victim's family.

“This is a very tragic loss,” he said.