Serious head-on crash between two vans sends 10 to the hospital, some seriously injured

EASTON — Chief Kevin Partridge and Deputy Chief Jonathan Carroll report that the Easton Fire Department responded to a serious multi-vehicle crash on Thursday evening that resulted in injuries to 10 people.

Easton Firefighters were dispatched at 5:07 p.m. to the intersection of Washington and Purchase streets for a report of a serious crash between two minivans, a Toyota and a Honda. Easton Engine 12 was on-scene within five minutes and ascertained that multiple people were trapped inside two white minivans which had crashed head-on.

Firefighters set to work and used hydraulic rescue tools to safely break away pieces of the vehicles. Inside, they found eight adults suffering from various injuries. Easton Engine 11 arrived on the scene minutes later and determined that the two occupants of the second minivan also required medical attention.

The incident commander requested a total of 10 ambulances, and area hospitals were put on alert.

Fire and rescue crews began a triage operation and starting to prepare patients for transportation to area hospitals. Patients were prepared with C-collars and splints to various injuries at the scene, as the most seriously injured patients were loaded into ambulances first.

Dr. Henry Crowley, the town’s service medical director, arrived at the scene and other members of the Easton Police Department command staff arrived to assist at the scene as well.

All 10 patients were stabilized and transported to two area hospitals by Easton Fire and seven mutual aid ambulances. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Deputy Chief Carroll, who served as the incident commander, said the 10 occupants of the minivans were extraordinarily fortunate to escape without more serious injuries.

“Considering the amount of damage and number of occupants in this head-on crash, it is very fortunate that it appears that no one was serious injured,” he said. “Our fire crews and mutual aid partners are to be commended for their rapid response and aggressive work on Thursday evening.”

The West Bridgewater, Stoughton, Mansfield, Norton, Raynham and Sharon Fire Departments and Brewster Ambulance Service provided mutual aid at the scene.

The crash is under investigation by the Easton Police Department.