Missing skier found alive on Sugarloaf

CARRABASSETT VALLEY (WGME) -- A Massachusetts teenager is safe and sound after spending two nights, lost in the wilderness near Sugarloaf. People are calling it a miracle. A snowmobiler, Joe Paul, found 17-year-old Nicholas Joy who had been missing for days.

Joe Paul: “He was good, cold, hungry, so I gave him some peanuts and crackers." At about 9 am Tuesday, Joe Paul brought Nicholas joy to safety.

Joe Paul: "I figured I would go for a ride and if I found him, great." That decision might be what saved the teenager's life.

The Maine Warden Service says Joy was skiing Sugarloaf with his dad on Sunday. On the last run of the day, he split from his father, took a woodsy trail and got lost on the west side of the mountain.

Lt. Kevin Adam, Maine Warden Service: "He’s saying he followed the trail until he was out of bounds. He made some errors, but then used his head and made good decisions."

Lt. Kevin Adam says Joy built a snow cave, drank water from a nearby stream, and on Tuesday morning followed the sound of snowmobiles until he landed on Caribou Pond Road.

John Diller, Sugarloaf GM: "I cried...almost like a miracle."

Matt Toloski, skier: "It was overwhelming sense of relief and joy." Matt Toloski was on vacation with his family, they say they prayed at the base of the mountain each night for Joy's safe return.

Noreen Toloski, skier: "Having two kids as a mom it was hard. Nice to know we can leave knowing he is okay."

Joy was brought to Franklin Memorial Hospital where a spokeswoman issued a statement on the family's behalf.

Jill Gray, Franklin Memorial Hospital spokeswoman: "His family would like to extend an extra special thank you to chaplain and Joseph Paul the snowmobiler who found Nicolas."

As a firefighter in his hometown of Warwick, Mass., Joe Paul is no stranger to protecting others. He's just glad he was in the right place at the right time.

Joe Paul: "The turnout is tremendous, it couldn't have gone any better."

The MWS had the help of Marines and Navy Seals and volunteers, authorities say Joe Paul was just a good citizens looking to lend a hand.

Joy's family is overcome with emotion. Donna Joy spoke with the media late Tuesday afternoon on her way to get her son a cheeseburger and French fries, at his request, saying her son is still very hungry.

When joy's father heard his son was found alive, our media partners at the Press Herald report he showed up to the scene and drove into a snow bank.
Missing skier found alive on Sugarloaf