Staff Writer
A Washburn woman escaped serious injury on Monday when she tried to avoid a piece of farm equipment and went off the road. “At approximately 2 p.m. Lori Buckingham, 51, of Washburn, was traveling south on the Washburn Road – Route 164 – when she came upon a spray coup entering the roadway. She attempted to avoid it and went off the road,” said Doug Conroy, chief of the Washburn Police Department.
Conroy said Buckingham saw the machine pull into the road, its booms projecting into her lane of travel. Attempting to miss the machinery that was headed north, Buckingham lost control of her 2008 Ford Escape and crashed into a utility pole.
“The pole broke off. She took out the mid-section of the pole. The top of the pole was hanging by the wires,” said Conroy.
According to Conroy, Buckingham, who was traveling alone, sustained minor bruises as the result of the accident.
“She was wearing a seatbelt and her airbags deployed. It could have been a lot worse had that not been the case,” said Conroy. “Fortunately, she sustained only minor injuries.”
Conroy did not have an estimate to repair Buckingham’s vehicle but did indicate it sustained “extensive damage.”
The Washburn Fire Department and Crown Ambulance responded to the scene. White’s Towing Service was called to remove the vehicle. Maine Public Service was contacted to replace the pole.
No charges are anticipated.
