Boston police officer hit by construction vehicle, suffers serious injuries
BOSTON - A police officer is recovering after he was struck by a construction vehicle in Boston Thursday afternoon.
I-Team sources: Truck's back door swung open and hit the officer
It happened at the intersection of North Washington and Thacher streets shortly before 1 p.m. Paul McLaughlin of the Bureau of Investigative Services said the officer was working a paid detail at a construction site and helping a construction vehicle cross the street when he was struck by the rear of the vehicle.
"At that point, he stopped traffic as the vehicle came through it struck him, causing him to fall to the ground," said McLaughlin.
The I-Team has obtained surveillance video that shows the officer being hit by the truck. According to I-Team sources, as the truck turned through the intersection, the back door swung open and hit the officer, knocking him to the ground.
The officer was treated at the scene and then brought to Mass General. His injuries are serious but non-life threatening.
A police report says the driver of the truck was cited, but more details were not released.
Man says officer saved his life
Scott Hartmann, who is blind, was approaching the intersection at the time when he says the officer helped him.
"He stopped me at the crosswalk when the truck was coming and then he stopped the truck," Hartmann said.
Moments later, the officer was hit.
"I've had some close calls being blind and stuff, but nothing ever this close before where somebody was harmed trying to help me. I feel awful about it," he said.
Hartmann gave police information, including that he says the driver told him he forgot to secure the latch on his truck's back gate.
He has a message for the injured officer. "If you are watching this, thank you for saving my life today," Hartmann said.
"It can be very dangerous"
McLaughlin said this is a reminder of how dangerous working details can be.
"Details, depending on where they are and what exactly they entail, can be potentially dangerous, especially in high traffic areas, dealing with large construction trucks," said McLaughlin. "So potentially, it can be very dangerous"
According to McLaughlin, the driver is being cooperative. The truck is owned by Metro Equipment Corporation. WBZ-TV reached out to the company for comment but there wasn't anyone available to speak.