7 Injured In Special Needs Van Crash in Foxborough

A serious car crash involving a special needs van occurred shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Route 140 near Foxfield Plaza Friday, May 13.

A special needs van carrying 5 autistic adults and two staff members from Inc., a private school serving the autistic in Attleboro, crashed into a utility pole. The crash caused the utility pole to snap, sending live electric wires on the road near the accident.

A medical helicopter was dispatched to the scene. The medical helicopter landed at the Igo School, where one staff member was taken to Boston Medical Center with a serious leg injury. Foxborough officials reported that it took at least 40 minutes to extricate that staff member who was trapped under the vehicle after partial ejection. 

The driver of the van and the five students were transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro and Caritas Norwood Hospital in Norwood with minor injuries. They were later released Friday from the hospital.

"It all happened so fast," said one witness who did not want to reveal their identity.  "All of sudden there was a crash and sparks flew - I was worried that [the passengers] would not appear from the van."

Ambulances from Sharon, Mansfield, Norfolk and Plainville assisted in transporting the students to nearby hospitals.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.