Two Dead After Tree Falls on Car

ABINGTON, MA - Two people were killed Sunday morning when heavy winds uprooted a hollowing tree and sent it crashing on their roof of their car as they were driving down an Abington street.

The incident occurred on Rockland Street as the area, like much of Massachusetts, was being buffeted with howling, heavy winds. The tree fell at exactly at the wrong time, crashing onto the roof of the car with enough force to smash it downward.

Both victims were in the front seat of the car when fire crews arrived within minutes of a call from a bystander

Emergency workers quickly pulled one of the victims out of the car, seriously injured but alive, Abington's fire chief, John M. Nuttall, told a news conference.

Emergency workers needed 30 minutes, though, to extract the other victim, who was also alive but in very bad shape, the chief said.

“It was a difficult extrication, “ he said. “If you can imagine a small car with a large tree falling on it. . . It just completely crushed the passenger compartment.”

Both victims were taken to South Shore Hospital, where they died.

Authorities identified them as Franklin Teixeira, 49, and Manuela Teixeira, 51, of Whitman, who were married, according to The Boston Globe.