Rafting Accident Claims Life Of East Hartford Man

THE FORKS, MAINE/EAST HARTFORD, CT — An East Hartford man was killed last weekend after a whitewater rafting accident in Maine, according to state officials.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Friday identified the victim as being East Hartford resident Brian M. Breen, 57, of East Hartford, CT.

According to a statement sent out Friday by department spokesman Mark Latti, the incident happened at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Latti said the accident happened on a raft operated by Magic Falls Rafting Co., which was paddling down the Dead River with seven passengers, who were all family and friends.

He said the raft hit the "Big Poplar Rapid" on the river and Breen and one other passenger were ejected from the raft.

"As the guide was attempting to get both passengers back in the raft, they hit another major rapid which caused the raft to flip, throwing everyone in the water," wrote Latti.

Latti said everyone was rescued quickly by other rafts in the immediate area, but Breen was unresponsive.

According to Maine officials, CPR was administered to Breen on the raft as they paddled to meet emergency medical personnel on Route 201, but he did not make it.

Breen's body was transported to the Giberson Funeral Home in Bingham, Maine, Latti said.

"We are still awaiting word from the medical examiner’s office on a cause of death," Latti said in a statement.

For more information on the Magic Falls Rafting Co. in Maine, click on this link.