Sturbridge, MA – Firefighters from multiple communities responded to the Mass Pike (I-90) and I-84 for a multi-vehicle accident that affected both highways Sunday evening. One person had to be rescued from their car as it dangled from a Jersey barrier over I-84.
At approximately 6:04 p.m. on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, the Sturbridge Fire Department and Massachusetts State Police (MSP) were dispatched to the I-90/I-84 Interchange for a multi-vehicle accident.
With Sturbridge Ambulance 2 (A2) just leaving Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, only 1 of the 3 personnel on duty was in town to respond with a fire apparatus. Due to the lack of in-town manpower, and Sturbridge’s A2 being significantly delayed, an engine and ambulance were immediately requested from Charlton to assist.
While en route, MSP advised that an occupant was entrapped within a vehicle dangling over I-84. When fire crews arrived on the scene they quickly worked to stabilize the car before the metal guardrail holding it from falling to the highway below gave way. The quick work of the Sturbridge Firefighter and Charlton Engine crew allowed to occupant to be safely extricated and the vehicle to remain on the elevated roadway until it was later removed by a town company. As the extrication was ongoing, ambulance crews and troopers triaged the occupants of multiple other vehicles on I-90 and I-84 which had been involved in the accident.
Due to the number of patients on the scene, a 3rd ambulance from Auburn was requested to the scene. Charlton Ambulance transported one patient to UMass Hospital (Worcester, MA). Auburn A4 and Sturbridge A2 evaluated patients on the scene but all refused treatment.
Staffing Matters
In a Facebook post regarding the incident, the Sturbridge Firefighters Local 170 highlighted the hazards of 3-person minimum staffing. With only 3 personnel on duty, any ambulance call is handled by 2 of those responders meaning there is not enough crew to safely respond to a secondary call. In a fire scenario, even with all personnel available at the station, a 3-person crew only allows for 1 person to man the truck’s pump and 2 to attack the fire or perform search and rescue functions. This also leaves nobody to come to the rescue if a mayday should occur before mutual aid arrives on the scene. For more information on Sturbridge Fire Department’s staffing levels visit Sturbridge Firefighters Local 170 on Facebook.
Agencies that responded to the incident included the Sturbridge Fire Department, Charlton Fire Department, Auburn Fire/Rescue, and the Massachusetts State Police