NEWBURYPORT — Police Lt. Matt Simons and Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury III report that the Newburyport Police and Fire Departments responded to a vehicle crash and fire on Monday afternoon, and carried an elderly driver away from a vehicle that later caught fire.
On Monday, Sept. 16, at approximately 3 p.m., Newburyport Police Officer Rob Coppola was on motorcycle patrol when he noticed light smoke coming from the area of the Newburyport High School Football Field.
Officer Coppola investigated and located a vehicle that had crashed down a steep embankment near the football field.
The driver of the vehicle, a senior citizen, was outside of the vehicle and being assisted by Newburyport Water Department employee Doug Fowler. Officer Coppola and Fowler both helped the driver get away from the vehicle, which was overheating and smoking. As they helped him away from the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire.
Officer Kyle McLeroy and Officer Michael Falite then arrived as well, and helped to carry the senior citizen away from the burning vehicle so that Newburyport Firefighters could extinguish the vehicle fire.
Dispatcher Tracy Alford coordinated a response from the Newburyport Fire Department and EMS, while also calmly managing radio traffic at the time.
The driver was not injured. The fire was quickly extinguished.
“I couldn’t be prouder to work with my fellow officers, the Newburyport Fire Department and Atlantic Ambulance,” said Officer Coppola. “They, along with Doug Fowler, absolutely crushed it. The Newburyport High School Principal and Assistant Principal also came out and offered assistance.”
“This is the second incident in less than 24 hours where a more serious crisis was averted by the awareness and quick actions of our officers on patrol,” said Lt. Simons. “I’m extremely grateful for the selfless and thoughtful acts performed by our team of officers and professional civilian staff each and every day.”
