Two people were seriously injured Friday after a commercial garbage truck went off the road and crashed into the Pequabuck River in Bristol, Connecticut, according to police.
The crash happened shortly before noon as the truck was traveling north on Willis Street. The vehicle continued through the parking lot of Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School, crossed Memorial Boulevard and ended up in the river.
The truck was reportedly on fire when emergency crews arrived, with two people inside. Both occupants were able to get out of the vehicle on their own, but they suffered serious injuries.
Bristol firefighters then used a rope rescue system to bring the two people out of the river. The rescue involved lifting them approximately 15 feet over a wall to reach the shore. Bristol EMS transported both victims to a local hospital for treatment. Their conditions have not been publicly released.
Officials Investigate Possible Brake Failure
Bristol Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu said the truck appeared to have lost its brakes while traveling down Willis Street.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles truck squad was also requested to examine the vehicle as officials work to determine what led to the crash.
The truck is powered by three natural gas tanks, prompting the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to respond to the scene and assess the tanks.
The garbage truck was eventually removed from the river at about 8:15 p.m. Friday.
Crash Brings Back Memories of Earlier Incidents
The location has seen a similar type of incident in the past.
Zoppo-Sassu recalled a crash in the 1980s in which a truck entered the river after its driver steered away from traffic near the school. That incident resulted in a fatality.
A separate crash occurred in 2016 when a soda truck went into the river after the driver said the brakes stopped working while traveling down Willis Street. The driver survived with minor cuts and bruises.
Memorial Boulevard Closed During Investigation
Memorial Boulevard was closed while authorities investigated the crash and worked at the scene. Police also advised drivers to avoid the area around Riverside Avenue and South Street.
Authorities have not announced any additional details about the cause of the crash or the conditions of the two injured people.
The investigation remains ongoing.
