Rumford selectmen are to decide whether to repair or replace this Public Works 2001 International sanding truck that slid on black ice beside Route 108 on Dec. 9 in Rumford and fell over, spilling its load. Police said the driver was attempting to turn around.
RUMFORD — Selectmen may get their first briefing Thursday, Jan. 17, about last month's accident involving a Public Works sanding truck on Route 108.
A Rumford Public Works 2001 International sanding truck was damaged after it slid sideways on black ice Dec. 9 and tipped onto its side. Rumford selectmen are expected to be briefed on repair or replacement estimates at the next board meeting Jan. 17.
Rumford police Sgt. Doug Maifeld said Thursday afternoon that the red 2001 International truck was damaged beyond repair when it slid on black ice, and then tipped onto its side Sunday, Dec. 9.
However, Town Manager Carlo Puiia said Thursday morning that information is still being collected about whether the damage can be repaired.
"We've worked with our insurance company and now we're gathering the estimate to repair it and the estimate to replace it," Puiia said.
"We're hoping to put this on the selectmen's agenda for next Thursday."
Maifeld said the accident happened at 4:46 a.m. while driver Dale Roberts, 47, was turning the truck around by driving off Route 108 and through the United Steelworkers Local 900 Union parking lot. He said the truck slid on black ice and started to go sideways.
Maifeld said the wheels left the pavement and hit Nick-N-Dot Drive, a dirt road at the entrance to the new industrial park. When the wheels hit the dirt, the full force of the truck going from pavement to dirt caused it to abruptly stop and tip over onto its side, spilling its load of sand, he said.
He said Roberts, who is also a Rumford firefighter, suffered bruises and cuts and was taken to Rumford Hospital.
Report a correction
In order to make comments, you must verify your account.
In order to comment on SunJournal.com, you must use your real name and include the town in which you live in your profile. A member of our staff will call you to verify this information. To join in, fill out your user profile completely and check the box "please verify my status." We'll get back to you within one business day to verify your account.
Login or create an account here.
Our policy prohibits comments that are:
- Defamatory, abusive, obscene, racist, or otherwise hateful
- Excessively foul and/or vulgar
- Inappropriately sexual
- Baseless personal attacks or otherwise threatening
- Contain illegal material, or material that infringes on the rights of others
- Commercial postings attempting to sell a product/item
If you violate this policy, your comment will be removed and your account may be banned.