Biddeford man drowns after kayak tips off Martin’s Point Park on Sabattus Pond
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A Biddeford man drowned Wednesday night when the kayak he was paddling tipped over near the shore of Martin’s Point Park on Sabattus Pond in Sabattus, according to Mark Latti, spokesman for the Maine Warden Service.
Latti said Mateo Franco Cifuentes, 29, did not know how to swim and was not wearing a personal floatation device.
A friend in another kayak and several other friends and witnesses attempted to help him to shore, but they were unable to do so and Cifuentes sank under the surface of the pond.
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[How to safely enjoy the water in Maine as temperatures rise
](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/07/01/how-to-safely-enjoy-the-water-in-maine-as-temperatures-rise/) Another bystander dove into the water and was able to locate and recover Cifuentes’ body several minutes later, according to Latti. Witnesses called 911, and emergency medical services personnel tried for 45 minutes to resuscitate him on shore but were unsuccessful. Sabattus Police Department and the Maine Warden Service responded to the scene. United Ambulance Service and Sabattus Fire Department also assisted in the attempted rescue and resuscitation, Latti wrote. The Maine Warden Service is urging all boaters and those enjoying Maine’s waterways this summer to [know your abilities](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/07/01/how-to-safely-enjoy-the-water-in-maine-as-temperatures-rise/) in the water, wear a personal floatation device and be safe on the water. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [sabattus maine](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/sabattus-maine/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/donna-perry) [Donna M. PerryStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/donna-perry) Donna M. Perry is a general assignment reporter who has lived in Livermore Falls for 30 years and has worked for the Sun Journal for 20 years. Before that she was a correspondent for the Livermore Falls. [More by Donna M. Perry](https://www.pressherald.com/author/donna-perry)
](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/07/01/how-to-safely-enjoy-the-water-in-maine-as-temperatures-rise/) Another bystander dove into the water and was able to locate and recover Cifuentes’ body several minutes later, according to Latti. Witnesses called 911, and emergency medical services personnel tried for 45 minutes to resuscitate him on shore but were unsuccessful. Sabattus Police Department and the Maine Warden Service responded to the scene. United Ambulance Service and Sabattus Fire Department also assisted in the attempted rescue and resuscitation, Latti wrote. The Maine Warden Service is urging all boaters and those enjoying Maine’s waterways this summer to [know your abilities](https://www.pressherald.com/2026/07/01/how-to-safely-enjoy-the-water-in-maine-as-temperatures-rise/) in the water, wear a personal floatation device and be safe on the water. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [sabattus maine](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/sabattus-maine/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/donna-perry) [Donna M. PerryStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/donna-perry) Donna M. Perry is a general assignment reporter who has lived in Livermore Falls for 30 years and has worked for the Sun Journal for 20 years. Before that she was a correspondent for the Livermore Falls. [More by Donna M. Perry](https://www.pressherald.com/author/donna-perry)
