BOWTOWN TOWNSHIP, Maine — A 20-year-old Appalachian Trail through-hiker drowned Friday evening while swimming in a remote Somerset County township.

The victim’s name wouldn’t be released until officials notified his family members, according to a Saturday afternoon press release from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.





Witnesses told wardens that the man had hiked nearly 20 miles on the trail earlier Friday and was trying to swim across a small cove near the outlet of Pierce Pond in Bowtown Township.

The man went underwater about 35 yards from shore, according to the press release. Rescue personnel eventually found the drowned man in nearly 15 feet of water but couldn’t immediately retrieve his body.

Game Warden Sergeant Glenn Annis and wardens Josh Bubier, Dan Carroll, Kris MacCabe and other volunteers were able to retrieve the victim at 11:30 p.m. Friday.

Pleasant Ridge Fire and Upper Kennebec Valley Ambulance personnel also were at the scene.