BILLERICA, MASS. (WHDH) – A Billerica police officer died after he was struck by an excavator at a construction site Friday afternoon, officials said.
Sergeant Ian Taylor, 49, was helping to direct a tractor-trailer around a construction site shortly before 2 p.m., when an excavator struck him while it was backing up, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan said at a news conference Friday evening.
Taylor was taken to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington where he died from his injuries, she said.
“He is an unbelievable police officer. We were lucky to grab him and have him work with us since 2011. He’s been here for 12 years,” Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost said at the conference. “Sergeant Taylor has done a lot for this community, for the community of Billerica and for the region.”
Taylor was assigned to the Substance Abuse Prevention Committee in Billerica and would frequently meet with people suffering from opiate abuse to find ways to help them, Frost said.
“He’s helped so many people. He has saved so many people. His life had impact. It had meaning,” Frost said.
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WATCH: Police Chief Roy Frost and District Attorney Marian T. Ryan hold press conference
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The incident happened on Route 3A near the roadway’s intersection with Angie Road. Route 3A was closed in both directions as of around 3 p.m., according to MassDOT.
SKY7-HD flying over the scene near 3:15 p.m. spotted a tractor trailer surrounded by caution tape. Debris was also visible in the road.
Billerica police were on scene alongside Massachusetts State Police, detectives from the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office, and other emergency personnel.
A large police presence was visible outside the hospital Friday afternoon.
Frost said he was proud that Taylor worked for him.
“He loved, loved helping the people in this community. He was out today on a beautiful day in Billerica, it was beautiful out, and he was happy,” Frost said….