NH gov.'s security detail pulls driver from fiery crash at toll plaza

A trooper assigned to Gov. Kelly Ayotte's security detail helped pull the driver of a burning car to safety Tuesday after crashing into a toll plaza, New Hampshire State Police said. The crash happened at the Everett Turnpike's Bedford Toll Plaza just before noon. The car burst into flames after colliding with the plaza's concrete structure. "The trooper, without hesitation, responded to the vehicle along with a couple bystanders and proceeded to remove the male operator from the vehicle to provide aid," Col. Mark B. Hall said. Hall did not identify the trooper but said the veteran's actions in pulling the driver from the 2026 Lucid's window were heroic and saved the driver's life. Check traffic"The trooper, without hesitation, recognized that it was a serious crash and that there was clearly somebody still within the vehicle," Hall said. "(The trooper) was able to, I believe, pull the person out through the window along with a couple bystanders that also stopped to help the trooper." The man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Elliot Hospital.Hall said Ayotte grabbed a fire extinguisher from a vehicle and also tried to help. "The governor did get out of the vehicle and tried to assist in any way she could at the scene. She wasn't in harm's way at any point, but she has a great deal of care for our citizens and tried to do what she could at the scene to provide assistance," Hall said. Hall did not identify the driver, but the electric vehicle had Massachusetts plates. The northbound lanes of the Everett Turnpike were shut down after the crash. The Department of Transportation was assessing damage to the plaza structure and roadway.Traffic was diverted off the highway at Exit 13, and some southbound lanes were also closed.Bedford Plaza's history of crashesThe Bedford Toll Plaza is in the process of being replaced by an all-electronic toll system as part of a $16 million project. The Bedford tolls have been the site of multiple crashes in recent years, and the change aims to make the stretch safer, as well as modernize the toll system.The entire project is not expected to be finished until the fall of 2027.Video: NH officials detail fiery crash at Bedford toll plaza