Here’s what happened: At the intersection of Temple and Elm Street in Gardner, a Gardner City employee was up in the air in the bucket of a bucket truck repairing a flashing light. Then, an 18 wheel tractor- trailer truck clipped the bucket of the truck. This apparently caused the harness worn by Gardner Electrical Inspector Darrell Sweeney to break, propelling him to the ground and resulting in severe injuries including several broken bones. Sweeney was transported to the hospital via Life Flight and was conscious and speaking when Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson went to visit him.
City Electrical Inspector Darrell Sweeney Seriously Injured in Accident
A freak accident at the intersection of Temple and Elm Street in Gardner involving a tractor trailer truck hitting the edge of a bucket from a utility bucket truck resulted in serious injuries to a Gardner City employee.
Statement by Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson on the Accident today Involving City Electrical Inspector Darrell Sweeney:
“Earlier today, City of Gardner employee Darrell Sweeney was seriously injured in a work-related accident. I was able to visit and speak with him briefly in the hospital, where he is being cared for by a dedicated team of medical professionals. Darrell has a difficult road ahead, but he is in good hands, and we are all hoping for his steady healing and full recovery.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to the first responders who arrived quickly and provided critical assistance at the scene, as well as to the hospital staff who continue to care for Darrell with great skill and compassion. Their actions made an enormous difference during a very serious situation.
Our thoughts and our prayers are with Darrell, his family, and his colleagues. The City of Gardner stands ready to support them however we can in the days and weeks to come.
Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson“