Third Ave Accident Sends One to Hospital & Knocks Out Power

Pick Up Truck Strikes 3 Utility Poles Bringing Down Power Lines and Injuring Driver

Wednesday - March 7, 2012

The Waltham Fire Department responded to a vehicle accident at 70 Third Avenue on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 11:26 pm where a pick up truck had severed 2 utility poles and came to rest against a 3rd pole which was cracked.  That crash caused multiple power lines to fall in the area and on top of the pick up truck trapping the sole occupant/driver.  Power was also knocked out to much of the surrounding area due to the accident.  Waltham Fire's Engine 2, C-2 and an American Medical Response (AMR) Medic Unit responded to the intial call along with Waltham Police.  NSTAR electric was summoned to the scene cut the power to the electrical lines.

During this incident response - a call came in for a person stuck in the elevator at the Westin Hotel, 70 Third Avenue.  Waltham Fire's Rescue 6 and Ladder 1 responded to this call.  However, due to the seriousness of the vehicle accident, Rescue 6 was diverted to assist with the original vehicle accident call while Ladder 1 responded to the Westin Hotel.  On arrival at the Westin, Ladder 1 was informed that hotel staff had been able to get the the sole occupant of the elevator out safely.  Ladder 1 then conducted a systematic floor-by-floor search of every elevator to make sure nobody else was trapped.

Back at the scene of the vehicle accident, an additional AMR medic unit was requested and Medflight was contacted for an availability check and put on standby.  Once NSTAR was able to shut down the power lines on the pickup truck and ensure scene safety, Rescue 6 was able to stabalize the vehicle while Engine 2 and AMR extricated the elderly male patient.  That male patient was concious and transported by AMR to a hospital.  Waltham Fire remained on scene during the accident reconstruction and until the vehicle was towed.

 

Due to the power outage and damage to a fire alarm cable, Waltham Fire Prevention officers followed up with numerous building owners in the area Thursday morning to ensure proper handling of any emergency calls that might be impacted by any disruption of electrical or alarm services.