SANDY RIVER PLANTATION — Police said a Casco man was severely injured Sunday afternoon after he jumped from his motorcycle to avoid crashing into a truck on Route 4 but ended up hitting it with his body.

Stuart Pennels, 55, was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston by LifeFlight, Maine State Police Trooper David Powser said.

Pennels injured his right arm and his chest cavity was crushed, the trooper said.

On Monday, doctors told the trooper Pennels was alive but they could not give more details about his condition, he said.

Pennels was driving a Harley-Davidson south about 3:30 p.m. when he came around some S curves in the road, Powser said. It had been raining and the back of Pennels’ motorcycle started to go down as he came around the curve. He crossed over into the opposite lane, he said.

Pennels jumped from the motorcycle to try to avoid hitting a northbound truck driven by Eric McLean, 36, of Rumford, the investigator said.

Powser said McLean saw Pennels coming, slowed the truck almost to a stop and pulled it over but could not avoid the collision.

Pennels went head-on into the truck and his body landed under it, Powser said.

The motorcycle hit the guardrail and continued down the road before stopping.

Pennels was riding with a couple of friends who were on motorcycles behind him. No one else was injured, Powser said.

Rangeley lifeguard Bill Hayes said Monday that he came upon the scene just after it happened and helped Powser administer CPR.

NorthStar Emergency Services took Pennels to the Avon Airport to meet the medical helicopter, Powser said.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Zecher was at the scene and Maine State Police Trooper Mike Pion reconstructed the accident, he said.

Members of Rangeley Fire Department also helped with traffic.

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