NH State Trooper Injured Making Daring Rescue

A New Hampshire State Police trooper who was escorting Gov. John Lynch and his wife was injured Sunday while stopping to assist at an accident scene in Massachusetts.

Around 6:45 p.m., Trooper Scott Frye was travelling north on Interstate 93 in the area of Exit 44 in Andover, Mass. with Lynch and his wife, Dr. Susan Lynch, in an official capacity, according to a New Hampshire State Police press release. They witnessed a road rage incident resulting in a serious accident with injuries, entrapment and a fire resulting in an explosion.

Frye, Gov. Lynch and Dr. Lynch stopped to assist at the accident scene, New Hampshire State Police said. As the governor called 911, Frye grabbed a fire extinguisher from the trunk of the cruiser and attempted to aid the victims.

Frye and an unknown off-duty Manchester, N.H. firefighter who was also at the accident scene attempted to free the trapped occupant of the vehicle. The vehicle had gone over the guardrail and rolled down an embankment, immediately catching fire while at rest on its driver's side.

According to New Hampshire State Police, Frye and the firefighter attempted several times to remove the driver, who was pinned in the vehicle with his legs trapped under the dashboard. The injured driver continually called out in pain and pleaded for them not to let him burn. The vehicle was heavily involved with fire at the time.

Frye entered the vehicle through the front windshield and moved the driver's seat and back section, then reached under the dash and pulled the man's trapped legs free, New Hampshire State Police said. He then pulled the man out over the dashboard through the windshield with the assistance of the Manchester firefighter. The vehicle was engulfed in flames seconds after the driver was pulled to safety.

Frye was taken to a local hospital with smoke and chemical inhalation injuries, and minor cuts and scrapes. He has since been treated and released.

The incident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Troop A Andover Barracks.