SALISBURY — A 55-year-old Salisbury firefighter is in critical condition at a Boston hospital after a accident at the fire station earlier this afternoon.
Police and emergency responders sped to the scene in response to the emergency call at about 1 p.m. Police officials in Salisbury and Newburyport held traffic along Route 1, in both Salisbury Square and at the base of the Gillis Bridge over the Merrimack, to expedite the ambulance transport of the victim to Anna Jaques Hospital. The victim was later airlifted to a Boston hospital.
Salisbury police and fire officials refused to give out any information for hours, as new cameras from Boston media set up on the Fire Station lawn, and a new helicopter hovered overhead.
At about 3 p.m. Merrimac Fire Chief Ralph Spencer spoke on behalf of Salisbury Fire Chief Rick Souliotis, who had gone to Boston with the injured firefighter. According to Spencer while doing repair work on a department vehicle, an accident occurred, seriously injuring the firefighter. Spencer described the victim as “a lieutenant and department mechanic.”
When questioned about the accident, Spencer said the accident is under investigation by the State Police, refusing to give out any other information.
Flanked by Newburyport Dept. Fire Chief Steve Bradbury, Spencer said officials are not releasing the name of the injured firefighter at this time, although his wife and family had been notified and were on their way to Boston with Souliotis.
Merrimac and Newburyport firefighters were providing station coverage for Salisbury, as the department dealt with the tragedy. Fire department vehicles from other towns in the region could be seen in the parking lot at, as their personnel consoled Salisbury firefighters.
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