Truck Crashes, Bursts Into Flames; Man In Critical Condition

WORCESTER, MA — A man is in critical condition after crashing his truck, which burst into flames, into stone pavers, pallets, a guardrail and then a fire hydrant, in Lincoln Plaza.

Police and firefighters were called shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday to Lincoln Plaza for a report of a motor vehicle fire near the Dick’s Sporting Goods Store. A caller said a man was trapped inside and they could not pull him out.

Responders arrived to a pickup truck engulfed in flames, with a man (later identified as a 51-year-old from Auburn) in the driver's seat. The doors pinned shut from the crash, police couldn't get the man out of the vehicle. With the assistance of a good Samaritan, police were able to break out the rear windshield and pull him out that way. Once out of the vehicle, the victim was transported to a local hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition.

Investigators say that the man was driving his 2009 GMC Sierra pickup in the parking lot of Lincoln Plaza near Lowe's when he lost control and struck a pallet of stone pavers, a pallet of mulch, a guardrail and then a fire hydrant. The truck was pinned after it hit the fire hydrant, the accelerators still engaged and causing the tires to spin and catch fire.

It is believed that the operator suffered from an unknown medical condition which caused him to lose control of the vehicle. There is no more information to release at this time as the investigation is still active. Updates to the victim’s medical condition will be released when they become available, said police.

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