MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Only minor injuries were reported in head-on collision on Pleasant Street on Wednesday morning, when firefighters used a new piece of equipment to shut down one of the cars involved.
The Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire Department, along with Manchester Police, responded to the crash of two sedans, which was reported at 10:44 a.m. by officials from the North Shore Regional 911 Center in Middleton.
Only minor injuries were reported in the crash, and fire Chief James McNeilly said one driver refused a medical transport at the scene.
One of the cars in the crash was an electric vehicle which firefighters shut down using the department’s new “Emergency Plug.”
McNeilly said it was the first time the plug was used during a crash.
“Engine 1 put the device in and secured the car,” he said. “That’s the first time I know when we’ve used it.’
McNeilly said the device performed as it was designed to.
“The car shut down and started to secure itself immediately once the device was activated,” he said.
According to fire officials, the plug remained in place at the request of the tow company, until the vehicle was taken to the company’s lot.
Manchester fire officials began to use the device, which resembles a handheld gasoline pump nozzle, in September. The unit aims to cut power to electric vehicle when its been in a crash.
According to McNeilly, the device cost approximately $950, which came out the department’s budget.
Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@northofboston.com.