NH Motorcyclist, Passenger Killed In Bedford Crash Identified

BEDFORD, NH — Bedford Firefighters, EMS, and Police responded to an accident on South River Road at the intersection of Commerce Park North on Saturday.

Responders were advised the accident involved a motorcycle and a passenger car, and there were multiple people injured. When they arrived at the scene, the motorcycle had slid into the woods on the side of the road, and the operator was down in the roadway. The passenger on the motorcycle was under the car and pinned.

Firefighters determined the man operating the motorcycle had succumbed to his injuries, and the female had life-threatening injuries. Wood cribbing and hydraulic lifting devices were used to lift the car so that medics could get access to the woman who was a passenger on the motorcycle.

A medical helicopter was requested to the scene and DHART was dispatched to land at a nearby parking lot. Firefighters and medics treated the woman and moved her to the ambulance for additional care. As the helicopter began to land, reports indicated the woman was in cardiac arrest, and she was transported to the hospital by Bedford Fire. The woman died a short time later at the hospital, according to Bedford Police.

An elderly man who was the car's driver had cuts and abrasions from the accident and was treated by bystanders. Bedford medics took over the care and transported him to a local hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Initial information from witnesses at the scene indicated the car was traveling south on South River Road and turned left in front of the motorcycle, which was traveling north. The motorcycle appears to have tried to avoid the car but struck the passenger's side. When the impact occurred, the woman went under the car, and the man was thrown to the left of the crash.

Several witnesses and people who arrived at the scene immediately after it happened were visibly shaken by the accident. Several people assisted in treating the victims and assisting responders.

Bedford police did not release the names of the victims. However, family members have confirmed they were Kevin Hall and Heather Martel. Both victims are from New Hampshire, and the families did not specify any additional information in their online posts.

Family and friends of Kevin Hall and Heather Martel are asking for donations on a GoFundMe post to assist in the expenses for a funeral and services.

South River Road was closed for several hours as the Bedford Police Accident Reconstruction Team investigated the accident.

Bedford Patch will update as additional information becomes available.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news