Two Gardner residents killed in three-vehicle crash in New Salem

An Orange fire truck near the scene of a three-vehicle crash on Route 202 in New Salem on Friday. STAFF PHOTO/ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

Authorities work at the scene of a three-vehicle crash on Route 202 in New Salem on Friday. STAFF PHOTO/ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

Staff Writer

Published: 12-06-2024 5:16 PM

Modified: 12-07-2024 11:11 AM

NEW SALEM — Two Gardner residents were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Daniel Shays Highway (Route 202) on Friday, according to Northwestern District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Laurie Loisel.

Both the driver and passenger, ages 89 and 74, in one of the vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene. Several other people from the two other involved vehicles were taken to Athol Hospital for treatment of their injuries, according to Loisel. The driver of one of those vehicles was airlifted to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation officials and State Police closed off a portion of Route 202 from the intersections with Whitaker and Shutesbury roads at around 2 p.m., as Orange and New Salem firefighters joined Amherst and Athol ambulances at the scene.

According to the New Salem Fire Department’s Facebook page, initial reports indicated there was “entrapment in at least two vehicles.” The Orange Fire Department brought an additional set of hydraulic rescue tools known as Jaws of Life to help free the occupants.

In addition to the individual who was taken by helicopter to Worcester, the New Salem Fire Department states five additional occupants were taken by ambulance.

State Police detectives assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, as well as troopers from the Crime Scene Services Section and the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, are investigating the crash. The cause is under investigation.

According to MassDOT and Loisel, that portion of Route 202 in New Salem remained closed for several hours while the roadway was cleared. The New Salem Fire Department states the involved vehicles were removed by Dale’s Auto and the highway was reopened shortly after 8 p.m.

“This was a challenging, lengthy incident to manage and handle,” the New Salem Fire Department states. “All personnel did an excellent job on scene.”

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