The Briefing
- Hardwick, MA — A Hardwick–New Braintree police detective and a Hardwick fire deputy chief pulled a trapped driver from a burning car on Nov. 26; bodycam shows flames and “explosions around them.” Officer
- 911 call came in at 8:15 p.m.; car had hit a tree and caught fire near Hardwick Center. newportdispatch.com
- Detective Patrick Almstrom and Deputy Chief Nicholas Gaumond forced entry, removed the driver, and initiated care until Barre EMS arrived. newportdispatch.com+2hardwick-ma.gov+2
- Driver transported; condition not released. Crash remains under investigation by Hardwick–New Braintree PD and the Central Massachusetts Reconstruction Team.
HARDWICK, Mass. — A police detective and a deputy fire chief pushed through flames to rescue a driver trapped in a burning car after a crash Wednesday night in this Worcester County town, officials said. Newly released body-camera video shows the pair forcing entry as the vehicle “was exploding around them,” according to the department. Officer
The Hardwick–New Braintree Police Department said a 911 call at 8:15 p.m. reported a car on fire after striking a tree near Hardwick Center. Responders from Hardwick Fire and mutual-aid companies in New Braintree and Barre were dispatched. newportdispatch.com
Detective Patrick Almstrom and Hardwick Fire Deputy Chief Nicholas Gaumond arrived moments apart, reached the driver’s side, and pulled the sole occupant from the car before beginning medical treatment. Barre EMS transported the patient; authorities have not released a condition update. newportdispatch.com+2hardwick-ma.gov+2
Police Chief Kevin Landine said in a social media statement the detective began treatment immediately after the rescue and praised the joint response. The agency added that the Hardwick–New Braintree Police and the Central Massachusetts Reconstruction Team are investigating the crash. Officer+1
The body-camera clip was posted publicly over the weekend and shows heavy fire conditions and intermittent flame bursts as rescuers work the driver’s door. Officer
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