Serious Head-On Collision Traps Driver, Closes Route 111 in Windham

WINDHAM, NH — A violent head-on collision between a dump truck and a passenger vehicle sent two people to the hospital Monday afternoon, leaving one driver with life-threatening injuries and forcing an extended closure of Route 111.

Emergency responders were dispatched to Route 111, just west of Faith Road, at 2:51 p.m. following reports of a severe motor vehicle crash with potential entrapment.

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First-arriving units from the Windham Fire Department, including Ambulance 2, Engine 2, and Fire Chief Thomas McPherson Jr., found a heavily damaged scene in the eastbound lane. Upon initial assessment, crews discovered the lone female driver of the passenger vehicle trapped inside her car, suffering from critical injuries.

McPherson assumed command at the scene while Engine 2 firefighters deployed battery-operated hydraulic rescue tools to begin extricating the victim.

Recognizing the patient's critical condition and the extensive vehicle damage, command requested mutual aid from the Londonderry Fire Department, bringing an additional ambulance, a Heavy Rescue unit, and a Battalion Chief to the scene.

Windham also dispatched Ladder 1 and Assistant Chief Brady to assist.

Rescuers worked for approximately 10 minutes to free the driver from the wreckage. Following extrication, Windham and Londonderry paramedics intubated the patient inside Windham Ambulance 2 before transporting her to Elliot Hospital in Manchester under a Trauma Alert status. Authorities described her injuries as serious and life-threatening.

The driver of the dump truck was also transported to Elliot Hospital by Londonderry Fire Ambulance with injuries reported as non-life-threatening.

Route 111 was completely closed in both directions between Faith Road and Anderson Road during the rescue effort. The roadway remains shut down as the Windham Police Department conducts a full investigation into the cause of the crash.