Alcohol, speed suspected in Lebanon crash

Firefighters and EMTs work to get a patient onto a backboard after sawing the roof off his car in an effort to free him after Tuesday night's crash on Prospect Hill Road in Lebanon. (Harrison Thorp photos)

WEST LEBANON - For the second time in three nights a car careening along a Lebanon road crashed, and again, alcohol is suspected in playing a role.

Around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday residents along Prospect Hill Road heard a vehicle speeding by at a  very high rate of speed and went outside to see where it appeared tire tracks had torn up part of the road’s eastern shoulder. The car disappeared around the curve in the area of 135 Prospect Hill Road, and residents thought the driver had perhaps been texting, had a close call and continued on their journey.

Firefighters begin the task of sawing off the roof.

Less than five minutes later sirens coming from Milton firetrucks racing south on Prospect Hill Road gave rise to a more ominous outcome, borne out less than 100 feet around the curve residents heard the car disappear behind moments before. A sedan was seen resting up against some trees a few yards off the roadway.

Within minutes nearly a score of Fire, Rescue and Police vehicles lined the area where the car had skidded off the eastern side of the road and crashed into the trees, which may have save the driver’s life as they prevented him from rolling over down an embankment.

Lebanon Firefighters who were already mustered out for training in East Lebanon were on scene within moments of Milton crews and began attempts to extricate the driver, a male in his 50s from Lebanon, according to a Lebanon Rescue press release.

Milton extrication tools were used for the most part as its crews and vehicles were in close proximity and they had a larger assortment of tools, said Milton Deputy Fire Chief Jake Bourdeau.

Firefighters work to saw the roof off a Ford Escape on Tuesday night.

Soon a paramedic from Frisbie Memorial Hospital arrived along with other EMTs, and it was determined by medical personnel that to get the patient out it would be better to cut the roof off the car so they could get at him easier, Bourdeau said.

Thus began about a 40-minute-long task as firefighters worked with prybars and axes to help gain purchase for saws used in cutting the car’s metal roof.

As firefighters ripped part of the grill out, blue smoke wafted into the air eerily swirling amid the blue and red pulsing lights of ambulances, firetrucks and a police vehicle.

The smell of diesel fuel from firetrucks and ambulances punctuated crisp autumn air.

As firefighters were working toward complete removal of the 2011 Ford Escape’s roof, an EMT sitting in the passenger side back seat talked the patient through the ordeal.

Once the task was completed EMTs and firefighters slipped a backboard behind the driver’s back and gently lifted him onto it and into a waiting ambulance, from where he was transported to the Milton Industrial Park and Lifeflighted to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Once the roof was completely off, firefighters and EMTs were able to extricate the patient.

Maine State Police Trooper Jon Heimbach said alcohol was suspected a factor in the crash and that several Prospect Hill Road residents agreed speed was also a factor.

Heimbach said he was unable to interview the driver at the scene as medical personnel were busy with him, but that he would likely be tested for BAC once he arrived at the hospital.

He said the investigation into the crash was still in its early stages.