CHELSEA — A local woman was hurt Thursday when her car was hit by a construction crane on Route 9.

Sally Gousse, 76, was taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta with serious injuries after the 1 p.m. accident, Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland said in a news release.

Additional Photos

COLLISION: Firefighters and police work at extricating Sally Grouse of Chelsea, who was trapped in her car after pulling out of her driveway into the path of a crane Thursday afternoon on Route 9. Staff photo by Andy Molloy

TRAPPED: Firefighters extricate Sally Grouse Thursday, who was trapped after her car collided with a crane on Route 9 in Chelsea. Crews worked for a half-hour to remove her from her totaled PT Cruiser. Staff photo by Andy Molloy

Eugene Green, 52, of Manchester, who was driving the crane, was not hurt.

Gousse, driving a PT Cruiser, pulled out of her driveway near Tims RV Service and into the path of the crane, McCausland said, which Green was driving north towards Augusta on Route 9.

“The big rig swerved, attempting to avoid the collision, but struck the car on the driver’s side,” McCausland said.

Gousse was trapped inside her car. Chelsea Fire Chief Shawn Ramage said crews worked for a half hour to cut her free.

Rescuers initially called for a LifeFlight helicopter, but an aircraft was not immediately available so the request was canceled.

Route 9 was closed in the area for about an hour.

Gousse’s car was destroyed, McCausland said.

There was little damage to the crane, which is owned by Vassalboro-based W.H. Green and Sons.

Craig Crosby — 621-5642ccrosby@centralmaine.com

Related Stories