ATTLEBORO CITYWIDE NEWS

Pedestrian Struck in Norton

NORTON- A pedestrian was stuck by a motor vehicle around 12:00pm today, suffering serious injuries in the crash. The victim was initially en route by Norton Rescue to Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center but instead went to Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro for stabilization due to airway problems.

The accident occurred in front of 130 Burt Street which is off of Rt 123 and Plain Street in the North end of town. ACN will bring you more details as they become available.

UPDATE: The female victim, who was critically injured, died several hours later after arriving at Rhode Island Hospital. The driver has not been charged, as of yet, by Norton police who are investigating the accident.

Brush Fire Burns 4 Acres in Norton

NORTON- Another brush fire in the area, this time in Norton, tied up firefighters from several local departments for most of Thursday afternoon. The fire which started off Young Avenue, a side street off Freeman Street near the Norton Resevoir, burned approximately 4 acres.

Firefighters from Attleboro, Mansfield, Raynham, and Rehoboth assisted Norton crews in bring the fire under control. The days fire danger was classified as a class 5, the highest warning, also known as Red Flag conditions. Photos below.

 

Brush Fire in Norton

NORTON- A brush fire Sunday afternoon off of Dean Street, north of West Hodges Street, kept Norton firefighters busy as the hurried to keep the wind whipped flames from spreading. The fire was reported around 4:30pm and crews were on scene for two hours extinguishing the fire and dousing "hot spots". Additional brush units from Rehoboth and Mansfield responded to help contain the blaze which consumed approximately 5 acres. The cause is unknown but warmer temperatures and strong wind conditions in the area over the last several days have led to drier conditions. See map below for location of the brush fire.

State Police Cruiser Struck on 495 in Norton

NORTON-  A Massachusetts State Police cruiser was struck by an erratic driver while providing emergency lighting and cover to Norton fire crews at the scene of a motor vehicle fire Sunday night. The accident happen around 10:30 pm in the northbound lanes of Route 495. The firefighters had been on the highway extinguishing a car fire when they radioed to dispatch that there had been an accident at the scene.

Neither the firefighters nor the state trooper were injured but the driver of the vehicle that struck the cruiser was transported to Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center with serious injuries. There was a large gasoline spill, of approximately 15 to 20 gallons, resulting from the crash which was contained by the firefighters with foam and booms. A Mansfield engine was called for mutual aid and several additional units from Norton Fire responded, including Fire Chief Richard Gomes.

The accident is under investigation by Trooper Roy of the Accident Reconstruction Unit of the Massachusetts State Police. MassHighway responded to the scene and Massachusetts DEM was notified about the fuel spill. Also Clean Harbors responded to clean up the gasoline spill and foam.

Update 3/18/08: Norton Engine 2, which was extinguishing the car fire, did sustain minor damage in the crash when the cruiser struck the rear bumper after being pushed 125 feet.