PHILLIPSTON — A crash involving a logging truck and multiple vehicles on Route 2 westbound near the Exit 79 off-ramp injured eight people this morning, including one person who was airlifted to UMASS Memorial Medical Center.
According to a statement from the Phillipston Fire Department, emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 9:51 a.m. following a report of a motor vehicle accident. While crews were en route, Templeton Dispatch upgraded the call to a multi-vehicle accident involving fire.
When first responders arrived on scene, a car was fully engulfed in flames and the engine compartment of the logging truck was also on fire. A bystander had removed an individual from the burning vehicle before crews arrived. Firefighters quickly suppressed both fires and began assessing patients.
Eight individuals were injured in the crash, according to the Phillipston Fire Department. One person was airlifted to UMASS for traumatic injuries. Five individuals were taken to local hospitals for treatment, and two others declined further care at the scene.
The incident was declared a mass casualty incident (MCI) through Worcester Central Medical Emergency Direction (CMED) due to the number of patients involved.
Fire and EMS crews from Phillipston, Athol, Templeton, Orange, Petersham, and Winchendon responded to the scene, along with Phillipston Police, Massachusetts State Police, MassDOT, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), local highway crews, and multiple tow companies.
The Town of Phillipston has stated that no additional information or names will be released at this time.
