Overview
- A large pine fell onto an F-350 on Fitchburg Road in Leominster State Forest Monday morning, injuring three people.
- The driver was trapped while two passengers got out on their own, and firefighters freed the driver before all three were taken to UMass Medical Center.
- Officials said two patients suffered leg injuries that may need surgery, and a third person has been released from the hospital.
- Fire Chief John Bennett said the tree embedded in the engine block and pierced the passenger area but deflected upward through the headliner.
- Police closed the road to clear the debris and urged drivers to detour, and the crash remains under investigation as locals point to risks from large roadside trees.