Garbage truck crashes into lake in North Andover
Lake Cochickewick supplies drinking water for town
A driver escaped injury Thursday when a trash truck crashed into a lake in North Andover, police said.
The truck somehow went off Great Pond Road and ended up on its side in Lake Cochickewick at about 6 a.m. Thursday.
The driver, a 27-year-old man, was taken to Lawrence General Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
"The vehicle was on its side. He was sitting outside the vehicle. He explained to us he was submerged. He was able to get this seatbelt off and he was able to get to the passenger door," said Deputy Fire Chief Fred McCarthy.
Police said the lake supplies drinking water for the town and the Department of Environmental Protection, Board of Health and the Water Treatment Department have been notified.
Some hydraulic fluid did spill, but DWP officials say the water supply is safe. Additional tests on the lake water and the soil will be done this weekend.
The truck is owned by JRM, a company which picks up garbage and recycling materials for towns in the area.
Police said the crash was under investigation.