A game warden has tragically died after his plane crashed while going through Maine.
Joshua Tibbetts, a game warden for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, died on May 12. He had been working in the profession for 18 years.
"We are grieving the loss of a dedicated public servant, colleague and member of the Maine Warden Service," said Tim Peabody, acting commissioner with the department. "These tragedies touch us all."
"The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates," a spokesperson said.
"This is a devastating loss for the Maine Warden Service, our Department, and the people of Maine," the department also stated. "Our thoughts are with the family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those impacted by this tragedy."
Game Warden Dies
"The members of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic loss involving a pilot from the Maine Warden Service in the Town of Avon today," the sheriff's office said in a social media post.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot's family, friends. And the entire Maine Warden Service family during this incredibly difficult time," the statement read. "Incidents like this are a solemn reminder of the risks faced every day by those who serve the people of Maine. Often under challenging and dangerous conditions, and frequently far from public view."
"It disappeared, it literally was there and it was gone," she told the outlet. "I knew in my heart something was definitely wrong because I couldn't imagine that it got over the mountains in that amount of time that I had looked away."
"I have been briefed on the tragic plane crash in Avon that claimed the life of a Maine Game Warden," she wrote. "My heart is with the warden's family and loved ones. Their colleagues at the Maine Warden Service, and all affected by this tragedy. MDIFW will provide updates as more information becomes available."
