A pickup truck caught fire after a collision on Route 201 in Richmond Wednesday afternoon. (Darcie Moore / The Times Record)
RICHMOND — Two men were seriously injured when a pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with another pickup truck on Route 201 Wednesday afternoon.
The crash happened near 281 Augusta Road shortly before 2:15 p.m.
A maroon GMC pickup truck driven by Timothy Sinclair, 76, of Topsham was traveling south on Route 201. Richmond Police Chief Scott MacMaster said Daniel Burditt, 36, of Gardiner was traveling north on Route 201 in a GMC 2500 pickup truck. Burditt’s truck veered into the southbound lane, according to eyewitnesses. Sinclair tried to avoid the truck but the two vehicles collided.
Burditt’s truck caught on fire but two people pulled him out before the truck burst into flames.
Sinclair was trapped and cut free by firefighters.
Both drivers were taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with serious injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening.
MacMaster said the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The road was closed to traffic while first responders treated patients, extinguished the fire and cleaned up from the crash.
Interim Richmond Fire Chief John Bellino said it was challenging getting enough personnel to the crash Wednesday.
“I showed up by myself in the engine,” he said. “I had to be the pump operator, pull the hose and (act as chief).”
Bowdoin’s fire chief arrived to take over command at the scene while he worked to extinguish the vehicle fire. The first two or three Richmond first responders provided patient care while Bowdoinham firefighters extricated the driver who was trapped.
With limited personnel during the day, the volunteer fire department relies on help from neighboring towns through mutual aid agreements, he said.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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