GORHAM – Christine Gillas, 59, of Hudson, and a group of friends were riding their all-terrain vehicles from Berlin to Gorham on the afternoon of May 23 when Gillas crashed at approximately 2:15 p.m. on the Presidential Rail Trail.

According to the state Department of Fish and Game, dry conditions along the rail trail caused the ATVs to kick up large plumes of dust, reducing visibility. This caused Gillas to veer off the trail and down a steep embankment. The impact of the crash threw Gillas from her ATV.

One of her friends reported the crash to a conservation officer who happened to be in the area conducting speed enforcement. The officer, who was also on an ATV, took Gillas back to Rt. 16 where she was picked up by Gorham Ambulance. She was then taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin with significant but non-life-threatening injuries.

It is believed that in addition to an obstructed view, the crash was also caused by a lack of rider experience.