HARDWICK, MA — A driver was pulled from a burning vehicle that had crashed into a tree in Hardwick center on Nov. 26.
The Hardwick/New Braintree Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call at 8:15 p.m. reporting a car on fire after striking a tree.
Hardwick Fire, Hardwick-New Braintree Police and mutual aid fire departments from New Braintree and Barre were dispatched to the scene.
While Detective Almstrom was responding, dispatch reported the operator was still inside the burning vehicle.
Detective Almstrom and Hardwick Fire Deputy Chief Gaumond arrived within seconds of each other and went to the driver’s side of the vehicle.
They gained entry into the car and pulled the driver out as the vehicle was exploding around them.
Detective Almstrom then began medical treatment on the sole occupant while waiting for Barre EMS to arrive.
The driver was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The crash remains under investigation by the Hardwick/New Braintree Police Department and the Central Massachusetts Reconstruction Team.
