A crash into a home on Saturday morning in Fall River has left at least one person injured.
Just before 8:00 a.m. a call came into dispatch for a truck into a home at 646 Brayton Avenue.
According to Fall River Police Lieutenant Matthew Mendes, an occupant of the residence was temporarily trapped and subsequently extricated by the Fire Department. The individual sustained what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.
The operator of the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene.
The Fall River Firefighter Union stated that crews conducted an extended extrication operation, successfully freeing an occupant trapped beneath the vehicle. Engine 2 personnel brought the Technical Rescue Truck to the scene to provide additional equipment and manpower.
The collision caused extensive structural damage, displacing all building occupants. Due to damage to the exterior electrical service, power was remotely disconnected before National Grid arrived to secure the service.
The Technical Rescue Truck is a cross-staffed apparatus, highlighting the continued manpower challenges faced by Fall River Firefighters, according to the union.
Fall River EMS stated that Squad 11, staffed by shift commander Lieutenant Blackburn, heard the transmission and was around the corner and arrived on scene within seconds of the dispatch. On scene, Lt Blackburn established EMS command, requested for additional units and rendered immediate aid to a patient that was trapped under the car. Lt Blackburn was on scene as the only medical or fire personnel for multiple minutes before any other units arrived. Fall River EMS was on scene with Fall River Fire and Fall River police.
On scene, first responders found a single occupant in the vehicle that was entrapped as well as one person trapped under the vehicle. Fire department personnel responded and performed extricating measures for approximately 30-40 minutes until the patient was free from under the vehicle. In the middle of the operation, responders had live wires with active sparks coming from the house and vehicle. At that time, National Grid was contacted and responded to cut all power and responders were pulled out of the house by EMS command for their safety. Fall River EMS had 3 medic units on scene, 1 unit transported 1 patient to Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center with a driver so both paramedics were able to be in the back of the ambulance during transport. 2 other patients were transported to local hospitals.
Units on scene included Fall River EMS Squad 11, Squad 12, Medic 2, Medic 3, and Medic 6 along with Fall River Fire Car 3, Engine 2, Engine 4, Ladder 2, Heavy Rescue 1, and the Fall River Fire Tech Rescue truck along with Fall River Police and National Grid. Fall River EMS Squad 11 established EMS command and Fall River Fire Car 3 established Fire command of the incident.
At this time, the extent of injuries to the patients are unknown.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.
