Tractor Trailer Hangs Off Highway Closing I-293 South For 5.5 Hours

MANCHESTER, NH — Interstate 293 south in Manchester has reopened after an early morning accident closed the highway for more than five hours due to an accident involving a tractor-trailer and a car.

NHSP, Manchester firefighters and police, and AMR responded to Interstate 293 south in Manchester, in the Exit 5 and Granite Street area, around 6:30 a.m. Friday. On arrival, they found a heavily damaged Toyota sedan and a tractor-trailer that had rolled over. The trailer portion of the truck was hanging off the side of the road.

The driver of the truck, self-extricated from his vehicle, was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

The only occupant in the Toyota Yaris was the driver, who was treated at the scene and also transported to the hospital with what were also described as non-life-threatening injuries.

Firefighters requested additional equipment due to diesel fuel and other fluids leaking from the heavily damaged truck. The truck, which had a Vermont registration, was pulling an empty trailer used for logging.

The highway was initially closed at Exit 5 and then the closure was moved to Exit 6 to keep vehicles out of the area while crews worked.

Initial information gathered at the scene and from a witness indicated the car cut in front of the tractor-trailer, causing the truck to lose control and veer into the guardrail.

Bauchman’s Towing used several pieces of heavy-duty equipment to remove the truck's cab from the trailer and then lowered the trailer onto the off-ramp. Crews had to cut several pieces of the truck and fence to move the trailer. Skiff’s Towing removed the Toyota Yaris, which appeared to be the only car involved, from the scene.

The NH Department of Transportation assisted at the scene with traffic and highway cleanup. After all parts of the truck were removed, the NH DOT used a street sweeper to clean the travel portion of the road. The NH Department of Environmental Services also responded to the scene due to the diesel spilled on the ground from the accident.

Interstate 293 reopened at about 12:15 p.m. after the debris was cleared.

The drivers' names and additional information are expected later from the New Hampshire State Police.

State Police remind drivers to be attentive while driving and not be distracted by cellular devices, reminding them of New Hampshire’s Hands-Free law. Several drivers had near collisions while exiting the off-ramp and taking photos while driving. State police issued several violations to drivers at the scene regarding taking photos while driving.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news