Police Chief Paul Nikas and Fire Chief Paul Parisi report that the Ipswich Fire and Police Departments responded to a motor vehicle crash involving a passenger vehicle and a cement truck on High Street Monday afternoon.
On Monday, Aug. 28, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Ipswich Police and Fire were called to the area of 282 High St., also known as Route 1A, for a report of a collision between a cement truck and a passenger vehicle.
A preliminary investigation determined that it appears the driver of the passenger vehicle, a 55-year-old Amesbury woman, crossed the center line of High Street and struck a Rowley Ready Mix cement truck nearly head-on.
The driver of the passenger vehicle was trapped inside her vehicle, and Ipswich Firefighters needed about 15 minutes to free her using hydraulic tools.
The driver of the passenger vehicle was later transported by an Action EMS ambulance to Beverly Hospital. The driver of the cement truck was not injured.
First responders also discovered a significant fuel spill from the cement truck, and they worked to contain that spill to the roadway. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection was called to the scene, as was an environmental cleanup company that will remove any traces of the spill by tomorrow.
Ipswich Fire and Police were also assisted at the scene by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Ipswich Department of Public Works, Coady’s Heavy Towing, Paul’s Towing, Ipswich Utilities and Massachusetts State Police.
Ipswich Firefighters also responded to several other emergency calls around town while the crash response was ongoing. Call firefighters and off-duty firefighters who were called in to assist handled those calls.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ipswich Police Department, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section.
The crash impacted traffic in the area for about two hours.
“I want to thank members of the public for their patience as we responded to this major crash,” said Chief Nikas. “We appreciate the public’s understanding as we go about our duties.”