Boothbay Fire & Rescue and Boothbay Region Ambulance Service crews were immediately dispatched, with the first units arriving on scene at 5:51 a.m. Arriving crews found a large, 25-foot commercial package delivery truck completely overturned on its side and blocking the southbound lane of Route 27. 

Due to the seriousness and complexity of the crash scene, Boothbay Engine 2, Heavy Rescue 1, and Utility 1 and 2 were deployed to provide operational support and rescue capabilities. 

However, despite severity of the crash, the driver of the truck was unharmed and found outside the vehicle alert and along the side of the road.

The force of the crash also caused extensive diesel fuel and oil to leak from the truck and firefighters contained the spill with absorbent materials, preventing the fluids from further impacting the surrounding terrain.

Once the accident scene was stabilized, Route 27 had to be completely closed in both directions for over 45 minutes, which allowed for a large tow truck to conduct a complicated procedure to right the truck from its side and position the truck to be towed away from the scene. Since this operation was at the height of rush hour, Boothbay and Edgecomb Fire traffic control personnel routed traffic through various side streets, helping to minimize traffic disruptions.   

Boothbay Fire & Rescue Chief David Pratt said, “The outcome could have been much worse and it was fortunate the truck remained on the road and did not cross into the other lane, potentially striking other vehicles.” Pratt also noted, “Firefighters were highly focused on containing the fluid leaking from the truck and preventing a much more significant environmental impact.”

The Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement team and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office personnel provided accident scene and investigation support.