Used by Permission – Daily Hampshire Gazette
by James Klockow – Gazette Staff
GOSHEN, MA – Former State Representative and Senator John D. Barrus was taken to The Cooley Dickenson Hospital in Northampton this morning after the tractor he was driving on Stone Road tipped over in front of his house, pinning one of his legs underneath.
Barrus, 63, was discovered in that position at 10 a.m. by two unidentified fishermen, according to state Trooper Ronald Waskiewicz.
Waskiewicz said Barrus was conscious when Goshen Ambulance crew members, who were the first to respond to the accident, used the jaws of life to extract him from under the tractor.
Barrus was taken to the hospital and is expected to be treated for a “serious” leg injury, according to Waskiewicz.
Barrus’ condition was not available from the hospital at press time.
Rescue personnel said Barrus was unable to say how the accident occurred. None of the observers at the scene knew how Barrus’ tractor rolled, or how long he had been pinned underneath.
Timothy Barrus, John Barrus’ nephew, and the owner of the tractor, said his uncle was using the vehicle to clear rocks from his yard.