Rochester man pulled from burning truck in Mattapoisett

Feb 3, 2018

A Rochester man was pulled from a burning pickup truck this morning on I-195 East in Mattapoisett.

Massachusetts State Troopers responded to reports of a single-vehicle crashed into a tree on the highway around 10:10 a.m.

A 2014 Dodge Dakota pickup truck was traveling in the right lane, when for reasons still under investigation, it drifted to the right into snow, and began to fishtail. The vehicle then crossed back over both travel lanes and struck a tree in the median.

Upon arrival, Troopers Matthew Holden and Brandyn Henson observed smoke and flames billowing out of the engine compartment. The operator, a 39-year-old man from Rochester, was unconscious in the driver’s seat, wearing his seatbelt. The troopers immediately began working to extricate the trapped man.

While Trooper Holden attempted to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher from the trunk of the cruiser, Trooper Henson smashed the driver’s side window with his baton and cut the seat belt to free the man.

Both troopers pulled the man out of the truck and dragged him toward the woods, away from the fire. The driver was transported to Tobey Hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained in the crash.

Mattapoisett Police and Fire and Marion Fire assisted at the scene.