Jeffrey Hastings
- Aug 8, 2023

Crash Injures Four Men, Firefighters Work For 1 Hour To Extricate Occupant

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester firefighters, AMR, and New Hampshire State Police responded to a report of a van off the road on Interstate 93 North Tuesday.

The crash was located just north of the junction of I-293, firefighters located a van down the embankment and into the swampy area at about 6:50 a.m. One occupant was entrapped on the front passenger's side where the van had heavy impact damage from the collision with a large tree.

Additional AMR ambulances were dispatched due to four people with injuries. Three occupants had self-extricated and were suffering what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Manchester firefighters requested a paramedic to administer pain management to the trapped occupant, who was seriously injured and appeared to have a broken femur.

NH Department of Transportation set up arrow board trucks to assist in diverting traffic around the right lane, which was closed.

Skiff's Towing arrived at the scene and was able to attach a cable from the tow truck to help prevent the vehicle from sliding further.

Firefighters requested additional apparatus with battery-operated extrication tools to reach tight areas trapping the occupant. Rescue 1 continued to use hydraulic tools from their apparatus.

After working on extrication for about one hour, the person was freed from the vehicle. A trauma alert had already been activated at the Elliot Hospital Trauma Center where AMR rushed the person to.

State police said at the scene, according to witnesses, there were heavy downpours, and the vehicle appeared to hydroplane off the right side interstate. State police said it appeared the driver of the van was operating at an inappropriate speed for the weather conditions.

A total of four people were transported from the scene, and state police are investigating the accident.

Manchester Battalion Chief Kenneth Proulx indicated the following apparatus and personnel responded - Engines 3, 8, 10, Rescue 1, ALS 2, BLS 21, EMS 1, Car 1