Rollover accident sends driver, 3 children to hospital Monday morning

MEREDITH — A female driver and her three child passengers were taken to the hospital for treatment following an SUV rollover on Route 104 Monday morning, according to Fire Chief Ken Jones.

According to Jones, a call came in at 11:42 a.m. on Oct. 20, describing a car that rolled over into the woods. He said the vehicle was traveling east on Route 104, and just after the town line appeared to cross oncoming traffic and into a ditch, before rolling and hitting a tree. He said the vehicle broke the tree when it came to a stop.

The SUV contained an adult woman, two toddlers and an infant, and all four were taken to Concord Hospital in Concord for treatment.

“The vehicle was on its side when we arrived,” Jones said. “There was heavy damage, and they are fortunate that the children were in car seats and strapped in.”

Jones did not know if the driver was wearing a seatbelt.

The vehicle was clearly damaged on the front and sides, with the windshield crushed in and pieces of the front end missing.

Jones said when firefighters arrived, the occupants of the vehicle had already been removed by good Samaritans who stopped to help. The driver of the vehicle was in and out of consciousness before being transported to the hospital. 

Jones was not aware of injuries to the children, but they were taken to the hospital for evaluation, and to keep everyone together.

Three ambulances from Stewart's Ambulance Service transported the patients. The Laconia Fire Department covered the Meredith Fire Station while Stewart's Ambulance responded. The vehicle was removed from the scene by Harper’s Towing. 

The scene of the single-vehicle accident was cleared at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Monday.

While it was rainy at the time of the accident, Jones and Police Sgt. Jacob Boucher could not say if weather was a factor.

Boucher said the accident is currently under investigation.