The old saying "bad things happen in threes" proved true Monday for the Norwood Fire Department when it responded to a plane crash, a car rollover and car fire all within a couple of hours.
The single-engine plane crash that killed the pilot Agnes Imregh, 57, of Dover, occurred just after 10 a.m. Monday off Neponset Street in Canton, and Norwood responded with all front-line apparatus and personnel. In fact, Chief Mike Howard was one of the officials to thrash through the underbrush to find the downed plane.
At 11:37 a.m. the department received a call for a car rollover on Rte 95.
Because staff were busy at the plane crash, five more personnel who were not on duty were called in to respond, along with mutual aid from Sharon, and eventually freed the lone passenger.
Fire spokesman George Morrice said yesterday the passenger had to be cut out of the vehicle.
"Witnesses stated the vehicle rolled over at least three times before coming to a stop," said Morrice.
Just before noon, another call came in for a car fire at FM Global on Rte. 1.
Norwood Fire Prevention Lt. Tony Greeley diverted from his safety inspections, said Morrice, and two off-duty firefighters, who happened to be in the station, responded along with mutual aid from Westwood.
Crews found the vehicle on fire near other vehicles in the parking lot.
Another Norwood crew then cleared from the plane crash incident and quickly responded to help assist extinguish the fire.
Morrice said many surrounding towns, including Westwood, were at the plane crash but were also able to respond to mutual aid.
"We were taxed, to say the least," said Morrice.
Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or at bfalla@cnc.com.
