MARIAVILLE — A Mariaville man died during a snowmobiling excursion on Graham Lake last weekend.

Maine Warden Service divers recovered the body of Matthew Divello, 49, around 1:45 p.m. Saturday in Graham Lake near Eagle Island in Mariaville.

Divers found the body in about 10 feet of water, according to Cpl. John MacDonald of the Maine Warden Service.

Divello’s wife reported the man missing Friday after he failed to return from the trip.

MacDonald said a Warden Service airplane spotted a helmet in the ice near Eagle Island during a 9 a.m. flyover of the lake.

The discovery prompted a Maine Forest Service helicopter to land near the island for closer inspection. Divers were called in after it was determined something had gone through the ice just off the island, MacDonald said.

Divello left his home on the Morrison Farm Road by snowmobile at about 12:30 p.m. on Friday, authorities said. He was reported missing late in the afternoon, triggering a search that involved the Warden Service, volunteers from the Mariaville and Waltham fire departments and a LifeFlight helicopter.

The search was suspended at midnight and resumed Saturday morning.

The Maine Warden Service said that two other men died Saturday after snowmobile crashes. One fatality occurred in Dallas Plantation and the other in Lee.

The warden service said three additional snowmobile crashes occurred Saturday and one Sunday.

To that end, the Maine Warden Service is emphasizing the need for snowmobile safely.

“All snowmobile operators must practice good judgment and common sense while snowmobiling,” said Maj. Greg Sanborn of the Warden Service.

“Always tell someone where you plan to ride and when you will return,” Sanborn said. “Ice conditions across Maine remain inconsistent and dangerous and the lack of snow has made for poor trail conditions for the majority of the state.”

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