Icy I-93 conditions lead to crashes involving 15 vehicles, firefighter among the injured

MANCHESTER, NH – A total of 15 vehicles were involved in three separate accidents on I-93 Monday morning that resulted in three people being transported with injuries, one considered to be life-threatening, and including a firefighter, who suffered a hip injury when struck by a pick-up truck while assisting at the scene.

According to Battalion Chief Bob Beaudet at 5:43 a.m. fire personnel responded to three different accident reports on Route 93 North – South of the Route 293 split.

Engine 3, Engine 8 and X20, a BLS unit, were dispatched to a multi-car accident on 93 North, just south of the Route 293 split. E3 arrived and established command and reported a seven-vehicle accident. E3 personnel extricated a female patient from one vehicle and performed patient care. She was transported to the Elliot Hospital with a life-threatening head injury.

While caring for this victim, a pickup truck attempted to drive through the emergency scene at an unreasonable rate of speed, lost control and struck an adjacent guardrail. After hitting the guardrail, the truck hit Engine 3 and slid into two vehicles previously involved in the incident. The officer of E3 was alerted by his crewmate of the oncoming vehicle and was able to narrowly avoid being struck. That crewmember was, however, struck by one of the vehicles and tumbled onto the roadway. The firefighter was cared for on scene and transported to the Elliot Hospital via ambulance.

Beaudet said the injured firefighter was treated at a local hospital and now is at home resting.  However, he said he needs to follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon which could result in his being out of work for a while.

Civilian Injuries: two female patients transported, one with life-threatening injuries

Emergency Service Injuries: 1 firefighter transported, non-life threatening injuries

Special Circumstances: Icy roadways

Incident Commanders: Lieutenant Craig Ferry, Battalion Chief Bob Beaudet