MANCHESTER, NH – An SUV traveling south on 293 between Exits 1 and 2 on June 25 at approximately 9:25 p.m. suddenly crossed over the median strip striking and tearing apart a double guardrail before crossing over the north bound lanes of 293 and into the woods.
The SUV came to an abrupt stop when it struck a tree and burst into flames.
According to District Fire Chief Al Poulin, the two male occupants got out of the SUV before rescuers arrived, and were conscious and able to talk. They were taken a local hospital for injuries.
The vehicle was a total loss.
Poulin in his accident report stated that there were “very unusual circumstances pertaining to this crash.”
He said the NH State Police are handling the investigation, but did elaborate briefly.
“I say it was unusual because of the total circumstances,” said Poulin. “The car swerved two or three times as it was heading toward I-93, took an erratic turn to the left, went through a double guard rail – which I’ve never seen before – and headed across traffic. We cannot understand why they didn’t hit another vehicle,” Poulin said.
Witnesses said the SUV went through the guardrail “like a knife through butter,” before hitting a tree head on and bursting into flames.
“Any other circumstances would have for sure resulted in two fatalities,” Poulin said. “The front of the car was embedded with the tree and 50 percent of the car had already burnt up when we arrived. Guard rails are there to prevent you from going through, but somehow they not only went through it, but didn’t hit any other vehicles when they crossed over to the other side.”
The crash is under investigation by NH State Police.
