Dog and driver injured, 2nd dog dead, after truck lands in river in Plymouth County

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief John Dzialo and Deputy Chief Michael McLaughlin report in a release that the East Bridgewater Fire and Police Departments responded early Wednesday morning after a pickup truck went over a guardrail and landed in the Matfield River.

“At just before 4:00 a.m., East Bridgewater Fire and Police were dispatched to Pleasant Street near North Central Street for a report of a crash.“The preliminary investigation indicates that a Boston man driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck left the roadway and went over a guardrail while negotiating a curve.

The truck came to a rest on its side in the river.“Firefighters used a stokes basket to remove the man from the river. He was transported by a West Bridgewater Fire Department ambulance to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.“Two dogs were also in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Firefighters and police officers worked together to remove the dogs. Rockland Animal Control responded and brought the dogs to the VCA South Shore Weymouth Animal Hospital for treatment.

One of the dogs sustained more significant injuries than the other.”According to WCVB, one of the dogs died.“The Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team also responded to the scene. Several East Bridgewater firefighters serve on the countywide team, including a lieutenant who was on duty at the time of the incident.

Additional off-duty East Bridgewater firefighters were called in to assist due to the complexity of the response.

“This was a difficult scene in the middle of the night, and I want to commend our firefighters, police officers, and mutual aid partners for their teamwork in rescuing both the driver and his dogs,” said Chief Dzialo.

“This incident highlights the strong partnership between the East Bridgewater Police and Fire Departments, as well as the valuable resources and support we receive from our regional partners when unique emergencies occur,” said Deputy Chief McLaughlin.

“The vehicle was removed from the water, and the scene was cleared at about 5:56 a.m.

“The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the East Bridgewater Police Department.”