Lynn, MA - Car into the Water

Shortly before 2am on Monday morning, Lynn and Saugus Police responded to a report of a car that had crashed through the guard rail on the Western Ave bridge, plunging into the Saugus River. Police and firefighters arriving on scene found a car submerged in the water just off the bridge. 2 occupants were rescued from the vehicle and taken by ALS Ambulance to an area hospital. Western Ave was closed while the Cambridge Fire Department Dive Team assisted G/J Towing with the recovery of the vehicle. The late model Mercedes SUV was hoisted out of the river and placed back onto the bridge so it could be loaded onto a flatbed and removed. The accident is still under investigation, no word on whether any charges or citations will be filed.

Braintree 2 Alarm Fire 12/1/11

Shortly before 4pm Thursday, Braintree Fire responded to a report of a house fire at 166 Town St. Upon arrival, the found the rear of the home to be fully involved. Command immediately ordered a second alarm upon arrival. While battling the flames, firefighters noticed that the home contained large propane tanks. Due to the quick thinking by the firefighters working the attack line, they were able to cool down the propane tanks and prevent an explosion. The fire was quickly brought under control and no injuries were reported at the scene.

Mass Ave rollover MVA

Boston and State Police along with Boston Fire and EMS responded to the Mass Ave Bridge early Saturday morning for a report of a rollover motor vehicle accident. Upon their arrival, they found a new model Lexus sedan on it's roof with the driver trapped inside the vehicle. The Boston Fire Department had to use the Jaws of Life hydraulic tool to extricate the driver.

The unidentified driver was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Police described his injuries as lacerations to his head, face, and neck. The Mass Ave Bridge was closed for approximately an hour while crews worked to clear the scene.

It is believed that the driver was exiting Storrow Drive onto the Mass Ave Bridge when he lost control, skidded through a guard rail, went airborne for about 15 feet over Storrow drive, before crashing through a second guard rail and coming to rest on the roof of the vehicle. Debris littered Storrow Drive as well as the Mass Ave Bridge.

Storrow Drive north was closed while crews worked to clear pieces of concrete and guard rail that had fallen onto the road as a result of the crash.

No word if any charges were filed against the driver. The accident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police.

Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets visit Boston

Thursday 11/17/11 - Boston, MA

        The US Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets made a visit to Boston, in preparation for next year's Navy Week and July 4th Celebration. 2 of the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron's 8 fighter jets, Blue Angel #1 and #7, took to the sky over Boston for a test run to familiarize themselves with the local landscape. Their performance during next year's July 4th celebration will coincide with the War of 1812 ceremony during the program.

         Shortly after 12:30pm, the 2 fighter jets took off from Logan's runway 22R/4L heading out over Castle Island. After banking left around the Boston Harbor Island, the Blue Angels made a pass by the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal and out over the Constitution, before banking left and passing over Boston and continuing south over Quincy. Although the Navy's press release stated that they would be making several passes over the city, the Blue Angels only made the one pass before disappearing towards the horizon.

         

        For over 65 years, the Blue Angels have put together an elite team of 16 Officers that range from Commanding Officer, tactical jet pilot, maintenance, public affairs, administrations, and aviation medicine. 

       The Commanding Officer, or "Boss", flies the #1 jet and is required to have at least 3,000 tactical jet flight-hours and have previously been in command of a tactical flight squadron. Blue Angels #2-7 are flown by Navy and Marine Corps tactical jet pilots with an aircraft carrier qualification and a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet flight-hours. The #8 jet is flown by the Events Coordinator who is a Naval Flight Officer of Weapons System Officer. #8 must also meet the same criteria as #2-7. 

        Aside from the Boeing F/A-18 Hornets, the Navy Blue Angels also utilize a Lockheed-Martin C-130 cargo ship, also known as "Fat Albert". The all-Marine flight crew is responsible for transporting road-crew personnel, supplies, and equipment to and from each show during their Air Show season.

*Information contained in this article taken from the Blue Angel's website. Fore more information, visit www.blueangels.navy.mil

Quincy TT vs Bucket Truck

Shortly after 10am, a Quincy DPW Employee was knocked out of the bucket truck he was using to change a street light when it was struck by a tractor trailer. The accident happened at the intersection of Washington St and Chubbock St. The employee was working on a street light at that intersection when the bottom of the bucket was clipped by the top of the trailer as the truck passed the intersection. A woman passing by dressed in blue hospital scrubs jumped out of her car and tried to help before emergency workers could arrive on scene.
The worker was taken to Boston Medical Center by ambulance with police escort. Witnesses on the scene said that it didn't appear the worker was moving after the accident. Police did not comment any further on the worker's condition other than that the injuries were serious.

Quincy 2 Alarm fire

Quincy Firefighters worked for over 2 hours to battle a blaze that initially broke out in the entry way of a duplex at 44 Penn St on Sunday Night. The fire had extended to the 3rd floor attick area from the entry way, sending flames shooting from side windows of the home. Due to overhead power lines, the use of a Ladder truck was impossible, limiting the firefighters to exterior oporations only.

Braintree Car into a building w/ Hazmat

     On Tuesday evening, just before 6pm, Braintree Fire and Police departments responded to a "Car into a building" call. Upon arrival, they found a new model Dodge Caliber resting on it's side after crashing through the front windows of Champion Cleaners at 1721 Washington St. The driver was pinned behind the wheel and firefighters had to use a power saw and the Jaws of Life to extricate the driver through a hole cut in the roof. It is unclear what kind of injuries the driver suffered at this time.
     While on the scene, firefighters and police officers noticed a smell of natural gas and ordered that Nation Grid respond ASAP. Gas was shut off as well as electricity to the building a short time later. The Department of Fire Services was called in to check on chemicals that spilled and mixed due to the impact. Shortly after their arrival, a Tier 2 Hazmat response was ordered, bringing in firefighters from across the eastern part of the state. A 2 man team in full Hazmat gear entered the building to take samples. Rt. 37(Washington St) in Braintree was closed for approximately 4 hours while Hazmat crews worked at the scene. Decontamination pools were set up along the road, and multiple emergency vehicles were parked along the road, prompting police to divert traffic.