A Rhode Island snowmobiler was hurt Friday when the machine he was riding slid off a trail and struck a rock in northern Franklin County.

Investigators said John Paquin, 57, of Kingstown was snowmobiling with a group that started out in the Rangeley area and headed toward Stratton village for a late lunch, according to the Maine Warden Service. Paquin was riding alone on a borrowed 2012 Polaris snowmobile.

Investigators said Paquin failed to negotiate a curve in the trail, lost control and struck a rock. He was thrown from the snowmobile and sustained serious injuries to his hip and pelvis, the Warden Service release said.

Paquin was able to ride the snowmobile to Route 16 with the assistance of friend, investigators said. The Maine Warden Service was notified of the crash at about 2 p.m.

Deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office also responded. Paquin was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington where he was being evaluated later Friday.

Game wardens say rider inexperience appears to have contributed to the crash.

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