Above: Firefighters respond to Friday’s accident on Route 495 (photo courtesy of the Southborough Fire Department)
On Friday afternoon a backhoe that was being towed by a National Grid dump truck on Route 495 rolled onto a minivan killing one woman and seriously injuring three others, including two children. The Metrowest Daily News reported yesterday that the accident occurred as the truck was being test-driven following safety concerns.
National Grid spokeswoman Debbie Drew said Friday that the 2010 Freightliner truck was being tested after employees identified safety concerns with the new vehicle.
“This was a new model of dump truck which National Grid was continuing to evaluate and test-drive following some safety considerations which had been identified by our employees,” Drew said. “We take safety very seriously, and we are undertaking a full investigation internally as well as cooperating with the authorities.”
The accident killed backseat passenger Xjaoyun Jiang of Westford, who family members said was in her 70s. The driver of the minivan, Yingzi Wang, 42, of Westford, was airlifted to UMass Memorial, while two children, ages 10 and 13, were transported there by ambulance.
The crash, which occurred just south of the Simarano Drive exit, closed all southbound lanes of Route 495 and snarled traffic for hours. The Southborough Fire Department assisted the state police with the emergency response.
So Nat’l Grid was testing it for “safety concerns” on a busy Friday afternoon on an interstate? Wow. What genius is running that company? But don’t worry stockholders, most of their “accidents” don’t involve Nat’l Grid, but their “contractors”, so THEIR safety record is still probably spotless.
There was heavy traffic on the road before that accident, which is why I wasn’t on that part of the highway when it happened… I got off the highway just before, and was on the back roads heading home when I saw the fire engines and ambulance heading over there. My heart goes out to the family involved, this wasn’t just an “accident”, it was one waiting to happen.
First, let’s not condemn anyone until the Massachusetts State Police and National Grid have concluded their investigations. Second, kudos to Southborough, Westborough, and Marlborough Fire Departments as well as Patriot Ambulance for their hard work at a very difficult scene. Having particpated in several such rescues, I know exactly how physically and mentally taxing something like that is. We are lucky to have such dedicated professionals available to help us.
Lets see, backhoe fall off truck that is being “tested” for safety on a busy highway during rush hour resulting in fatalities. This investigation shouldn’t take too long, and someone needs to do jail time for gross neglegence.
Well said, John.