I-95 in Attleboro reopens after truck hits power lines

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WHDH) -- Interstate 95 in Attleboro reopened after downed power lines closed traffic in both directions.

At about 3:10 p.m. a tractor trailer travelling north struck sagging overhead power lines. A second truck traveling south also struck the power lines.

Live wires were strapped around the northbound truck while the driver was still inside.

“The driver of the tractor trailer saw it and he didn’t think he could get under it. He tried to stop, but he couldn’t, and he caught it,” said Deputy Chief Glenn Livesey, Attleboro Fire Department.

State police said the northbound truck driver stopped, got out of his rig, and suffered an electrical shock. He was transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital.

The crash happened between Exits 4 and 5 on Route 95.

National Grid officials say the line that came down was a sub transmission line. They had to shut off those power lines that typically carry about 23,000 volts of electricity.

“The way the power lines fell, it boxed in their car so they could get out of their car, but there was a power line to the left and to the right of them and they couldn’t go nowhere,” said Dep. Chief Livesey.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation tweeted at 4 p.m. saying traffic was backed up two miles in each direction. The accident closed the highway for more than two hours Thursday afternoon.

“I came from 495 from New Hampshire and it’s been slow for about 45 minutes,” one woman said.

All lanes reopened at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Multiple fender benders were reported as people started using their cell phones while waiting in the traffic.