SALISBURY — Salisbury native and New Hampshire state trooper Gary Ingham Jr. escaped serious injury Friday evening when his cruiser was struck by a tractor-trailer while traveling on Route 101 in Brentwood, N.H.
Ingham was airlifted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston following the accident, but, according to his father, retired Amesbury police Deputy Chief Gary Ingham, he was released Saturday night. Ingham said his son didn't suffer any broken bones and was mainly shaken up with some bumps and bruises.
"He's home, banged up," Ingham said yesterday. "Very, very lucky. Miraculously lucky."
The crash, which took place around 9:30 p.m., closed a large chunk of the highway, from exit 7 to exit 9, for several hours as rescue workers and a state police accident reconstruction team was at the scene.
The 32-year-old Ingham Jr. graduated from Triton Regional High School and served in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Marines before joining the New Hampshire State Police more than eight years ago.
A spokesman for the state police Troop A, where Ingham Jr. is assigned, said yesterday that the cause of the crash is under investigation. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.No charges had been filed as of yesterday. Ingham's K-9 partner, Diablo, suffered minor injuries and is expected to recover.
The force of the crash severely damaged the trooper's cruiser, with the passenger side door completely caved in.
Gary Ingham Sr. said he was at home when an East Kingston police officer heard of the crash on the radio and called him at home.
"Needless to say, I was in a frenzy getting to the scene," Ingham said.
According to WMUR, a large contingent of police escorted Ingham Jr.'s family from New Hampshire to Boston, closing down major intersections along the way.
Asked when his son might return to duty, Ingham said that he wants to return as soon as he is able.
"But they're urging him to stay out as long as possible. He has to get his strength," Ingham said.
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