Man Hurt By Flare Gun Was Attempting Suicide, Police Say [UPDATE]

Maine State Police say the man who suffered serious injuries in an incident involving a flare gun Tuesday morning was attempting suicide.

The incident took place inside a pickup truck alongside I-295 in Freeport, near the Brunswick town line.

Police say 65-year-old Daniel Abbott of Portland shot himself three times, including at least once in the head.

A small fire broke out in the cab of the truck, and two motorists, Jayson Forgues, 42, of Freeport, and Paul Oleston, 48, of Topsham, pulled over to assist Abbott. Forgues used his fire extinguisher to knock down the flames and Oleston helped pull the man  to safety.

Police say the pickup had been modified to run on propane, and if the fire had gotten out of control the propane tank in the truck’s bed likely would have exploded.

The man is being treated for burns and injuries to his head at Maine Medical Center.

A national suicide lifeline is available for anyone contemplating suicide at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). For more more information, log onto the website for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.