An elderly woman in Hingham, Massachusetts, endured a harrowing experience on 6th November when she became trapped beneath her own vehicle for an alarming four hours during a rainstorm. Officials have reported that the 81-year-old, identified as Peggy Wilbur, had accidentally become pinned against a rock wall after her car rolled while left in neutral.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Hingham-Firefighters-Local-woman-trapped-under-car-110926-4-b57c1c938a484e3e9c899c6bd5d258c1.jpg)
The dramatic incident unfolded when her husband, Norman Wilbur, returned home in the evening. As he approached their Lincoln Street residence, he heard his wife’s desperate cries for assistance. “I walked around and I heard, ‘Help, help,’” Norman recounted in an interview with NBC affiliate WHDH. Initially, he could not see her due to the position of the car, and it wasn’t until he realised the gravity of the situation that he dialed emergency services.
Firefighters were promptly dispatched to the scene at around 9:45 p.m. for what was deemed a “critical technical rescue.” A spokesperson for the Hingham Fire and Emergency Management confirmed that Peggy had been trapped for several hours by that time, as heavy rain continued to fall. Norman reported that he had been waiting for someone to collect him and had been unaware of Peggy’s situation.
Rescue crews arrived quickly and were faced with the pressing challenge of lifting the vehicle to free the trapped woman. Utilising rescue airbags and spreading tools, the firefighters executed the operation with precision. Thanks to their expertise, Peggy was successfully extricated from her precarious position and received immediate medical attention on-site.
Upon assessment, it was confirmed that Peggy sustained serious injuries as a result of the incident. Following her rescue, she was transported to a nearby hospital where she would begin her recovery process. Firefighters acknowledged the difficult conditions under which they worked, commending the efforts of Group 3 for their outstanding performance under pressure. “Our thoughts are with the victim and her family as we hope for her speedy recovery,” the fire union expressed in a statement.
Reflecting on the trauma of that night, Norman shared his gratitude that his wife had survived. He told WHDH, “She’s 82 this week, so she’s no spring chicken. But she’s a tough, old Irish girl.” Despite the injuries sustained, Norman remains hopeful and optimistic about Peggy’s strength and resilience as she faces a long rehabilitation journey.
The incident underscores the critical nature of emergency response services and the often unpredictable risks associated with vehicle safety. Authorities are using this occasion to remind the public about the importance of ensuring that vehicles are properly secured and not left in a state where they might roll unintentionally.
As the community in Hingham rallies around the Wilbur family, support is being extended from various local groups and neighbours. Peggy’s unexpected ordeal has ignited conversations about safety and vigilance, particularly among elderly residents and their caretakers, highlighting the need for proactive measures in preventing similar incidents in the future.
In this time of recovery, Norman and Peggy Wilbur’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the strength of personal bonds and the vital importance of community support during crises.
About the Author
