Two accidental deaths during car repairs prompt safety warning

Two fatal accidents involving car jacks within a week are prompting a reminder to the public to take precautions when making car repairs.

Detectives with the State Police Unit attached to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office responded to emergency calls to assist first responders in Montague on July 19 and in Athol on July 27. In both cases, motor vehicles under repair while raised up on jacks fell on those making repairs, resulting in their deaths.

In the first accident in Montague, police responded to an emergency call shortly before 10:30 a.m. July 19 to an Elm Street home, where they found a 30-year-old man trapped underneath a car. He was transported to Baystate Franklin Medical Center by Turners Falls first responders, and then later ferried by helicopter to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield where he succumbed to his injuries.

In the fatal accident in Athol, police responded to an emergency call in the early evening of July 27 where they found a 55-year-old man pinned underneath a car at a Gage Road residence. First responders transported him by ambulance to Athol Memorial Hospital where a physician pronounced him deceased.

“These catastrophic accidents are tragic and we offer our deepest condolences to these families,” said District Attorney Sullivan, whose office has jurisdiction over unattended deaths.

“As the responders to unattended deaths in the Northwestern District, our office certainly sees many tragedies. With two similar accidents coming so close together, we want to urge people working on cars to use proper equipment and take particular care on gravel driveways,” said DA Sullivan. “It is essential to take precautionary steps when working with all types of heavy machinery.”