911 calls released in Ashburnham accident

ASHBURNHAM, Mass. (WHDH) -- Newly released 911 calls reveal a harrowing scene after an SUV rolled down a steep driveway and dragged a man several feet in Ashburnham.

The victim was driving his son’s SUV and wasn’t familiar with the car. He opened the door to release the emergency brake when he got run over and dragged down the driveway.

“My brother just released the emergency brake on his car and it went down the hill and he’s injured,” a woman told the dispatcher.

Police said the car finally came to a stop with the help of a stump and the driver’s 9-year-old grandson.

Officials said the 53-year-old man was getting into his son’s Ford Explorer Monday morning and his grandson was in the passenger seat. The car was in reverse and the driver’s foot was on the brake. The man wasn’t sure how to release the parking brake since it wasn’t his car, so he opened the door and with one leg on the ground he looked for the release. When the man popped the brake the car started to roll and he fell out of the car, which then ran over him.

The door clipped another grandchild, a 5-year-old girl.

Police believe the boy stepped on the brake to help stop the car from crashing or hurting anyone else.

Family members said it was a freak accident.

Police said no charges will be filed. The grandfather is in stable condition at the hospital.