Published: 11/10/2022 7:07:36 PM
CONWAY — A motorcyclist was sent to the hospital with severe injuries as a result of a collision involving a Greenfield Public Schools van on Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., first responders were dispatched to the intersection of Academy Hill Road and South Deerfield Road/Main Street (Route 116) in front of Town Hall. Fire Chief Bob Baker said the crash left the man on the motorcycle with severe injuries and he was brought to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for treatment.
“I know he’s got some sort of serious leg injuries,” Baker said as he directed traffic.
According to State Police Trooper Brandon Doherty, the motorcyclist was a 69-year-old Ashfield man.
The Greenfield Public Schools van was transporting students at the time and no injuries were reported, according Greenfield Superintendent Christine DeBarge, who relayed a voicemail and text message to families in the district Thursday afternoon.
“A van transporting students to locations outside of Greenfield was involved in a motor vehicle accident this afternoon,” she said in the robocall. “All of the Greenfield students and staff are safe. … The families of students involved have been contacted.”
One student was picked up by their parent or guardian, while the others were picked up by another van at the site of the crash.
Looking at the scene of the crash, which occurred as the sun was beginning to set, Baker said he believes the motorcyclist was turning left off Academy Hill Road to go up Route 116 when the van collided with the motorcycle in the middle of the lane.
“I think the sun blinded her,” Baker said of the van’s driver, who was turning onto Academy Hill Road. “It was a real low-speed crash.”
Massachusetts State Police, the Conway Police and Fire departments, American Medical Response and Conway Ambulance were among the agencies that responded.
Baker said State Police are investigating the crash.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.
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