A medical call, an ambulance collision, and a police officer struck by a vehicle created a chaotic scene Monday at Five Corners. Heavy rain and ferry diversions also contributed to traffic jams at the busy intersection.
The string of incidents began with a medical call from Beach Street Extension midday Monday.
At the time of response, Tisbury Fire Chief Patrick Rolston said cars “were not parked in parking spots,” which made it more difficult than usual for ambulances to access the medical call on the street that runs perpendicular to Beach Road.
Martha’s Vineyard Public Safety Radio chatter indicated that the ambulance struck a car during the response, and a police officer was requested to direct traffic to help the ambulance through the busy intersection. Rolston confirmed that an ambulance “bumped a car” on its way to the hospital.
Shortly afterward, an officer directing traffic at the intersection was struck by a gray Prius. The officer was not injured.
Tisbury Police Department confirmed the incident in a Facebook post. “He is okay, and the responsible person has been identified,” the post stated. “Please take extra time to check when walking or driving your car.”
The series of events, which drew a heavy emergency response, created traffic jams and questions among drivers throughout downtown Vineyard Haven.
Officers at the scene of Five Corners said increased congestion was also caused by diversions of Steamship Authority ferries from Oak Bluffs to Vineyard Haven. Sean Driscoll, the ferry line’s communications director, said the diversions were caused by “wind and sea conditions.” Seastreak, which usually travels between New Bedford and Oak Bluffs, also diverted trips to Vineyard Haven due to rougher weather.
Later Monday afternoon, it was reported that black smoke began rising from a car’s engine on State Road, near John’s Fish Market in Vineyard Haven. Firefighters responded to reports of an overheating vehicle, and closed a section of State Road as they inspected the vehicle, which they eventually pushed out of the roadway before reopening the road.
