ATTLEBORO CITYWIDE NEWS

Severe Thunderstorms Pound the Attleboro Area

ATTLEBORO- A line of strong storms ferociously blew though the Attleboro area Tuesday afternoon. The storm damage started in Seekonk, where a house on Scott Road was stuck by lightning, and continued through Attleboro where streets were flooded and alarms were numerous.

The Attleboro Fire Department responded to over a dozen calls in a 2 hour period starting at 2:00pm and ending at 4:00pm. By that time the storm had passed and most of the damage was over. Attleboro Police responded to many call for flooded roadways with cars stuck. The worst were Forest Street at the railroad bridge, O'Neil Boulevard and Peck Street. Also Newport Avenue from Cumberland Avenue to Continental Drive was barely passsable.

ACN will bring you more storm details as information becomes available.

Firefighters Visit Project Success Class

ATTLEBORO- The crews from Attleboro Fire Department's B platoon, Engine 1 and Ladder 1, paid a special visit to the Project Success classroom at Thacher School this afternoon. The firefighters gave the children a tour of their trucks and equipment and the students got to sit inside a real fire engine.

The afternoon visit was as fun for firefighters as it was for the teachers and children. A group photo was taken at the end. That photo and additional pictures from the visit can be seen below.

Fire Guts Rear Porch of Home

ATTLEBORO- Firefighters responded to a fire at 17 Andover Avenue, in South Attleboro section of the City, Sunday afternoon. The fire originated on an attached screen porch and appears to have been accidental. Fire crews had the fire knocked down in 10 minutes and there was only smoke damage to the rest of the house.

Bicyclist Strikes Car in Attleboro

ATTLEBORO- An intoxicated bicyclist struck a car on Dunham Street, at the intersection of Parker Street, late this morning. The accident sent the bicyclist to the hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries. The driver of the car was uninjured.

The accident is under investigation by Attleboro patrolman James Miller, but initial reports from witnesses stated the operator of the bicycle pulled out in front of the car without warning.

Distracted Driver Takes Down Pole

ATTLEBORO- A driver, distracted when she dropped her iced coffee, slammed a telephone pole on Summer Street and caused major electrical damage to the area. While the car sustained little damage and the driver was unhurt, National Grid crews spent all of the day and much of the night repairing the resulting electrical problems.

Over 600 customers lost power as a result of the crash and most them had their power restored by early evening. There was also damage to lines on Dennis Street and several electrical services to homes running along Summer Street due to the 9:42am accident.

Man Injures Arm in Train Accident

ATTLEBORO- A man standing on the train tracks north of the downtown platform at the Attleboro station had his arm severely injured today when he was stuck by a passing Amtrak ACELA train.

The 45 year old man was reportedly standing too close to the tracks when the train passed by and struck the man. He was taken to Sturdy Hospital by private vehicle just after 1:00pm today. Firefighters were on scene after receiving the call. He was subsequently transferred to Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center for specialized care.

The exact details of the incident are being investigated jointly by Amtrak and Attleboro Police.

Attleboro Firefighters Honor Their Departed

ATTLEBORO- Attleboro firefighters gathered on Monday, Memorial Day, at the Attleboro Firefighter Memorial in Woodlawn Cemetery to honor and remember their departed comrades.

Led by Fire Chief Ronald Churchill the names of all departed officers and firefighters that have served in the Attleboro Fire Department were read out loud. A prayer and moment of silence were also observed.

This memorial takes place every year as a way to remember those that have served the Department and have passed on.

Fatal Accident in Attleboro

ATTLEBORO- An overnight accident on Oak Hill Avenue left a 17 year old female dead and a male occupant seriously injured. Both persons were ejected from their Jeep Liberty after it struck a large tree in front of 34 Oak Hill Ave. Attleboro Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene and the male victim was transported to Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center in Providence by Attleboro Rescue 1.The accident is under investigation by Massachusetts State Police Accident Reconstruction Team and the Attleboro Police Department.

Roll Over Accident in South Attleboro

ATTLEBORO- A roll over accident on Brown Street, in the area of Cohelo Middle School, sent 1 person to Rhode Island Hospital with non life threatening injuries. The accident took place just before 9:30pm Monday evening and required the "Jaws of Life" too free the driver.

The cause of the accident is unknown but the truck the victim was driving in rolled over and severed a light pole. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle and Attleboro firefighter, Ron Cameron, assisted by other Attleboro firefighters used the hydraulic cutting tool to separate the steering column and free the driver. The accident remains under investigation by Attleboro Police. Photos by Will Monterosso.

New Rescue Truck for Attleboro Fire Dept.

ATTLEBORO- The Attleboro Fire Department has taken delivery of a new ambulance to replace Rescue 2. The new Rescue 2 is a 2008 GMC/Horton 4500 Series with a DuraMax diesel engine. It also features an all aluminum modular crash tested body.

Horton Emergency Vehicles is recognized as a national leader in the ambulance industry. They are on the cutting edge of innovation for exceptionally functional EMS vehicles, and their ambulances are used by some of the busiest metropolitan departments in the United States including the Providence Fire Department.

The new Attleboro rescue will be assigned to the South Attleboro fire station and will respond across the entire City for all types of emergencies.