Merrimac Police Department
Eric M. Shears, Chief of Police
16 East Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpre.net
Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net
Merrimac Police: Monday Plane Crash Report Appears Unfounded
MERRIMAC – Chief Eric M. Shears reports that the Merrimac Police Department, in conjunction with the Merrimac Fire Department, Amesbury Police and Fire, and the Massachusetts State Police conducted a thorough search of wooded areas off I-495 Monday after a motorist called 911 to report a small plane had crashed. At this time, the report appears to be unfounded, and officials believe that the motorist actually saw a remote-controlled model airplane at the time.
On July 20 around 3:10 p.m., police received a 911 call from a woman who stated that as she was heading south on I-495, between exits 53 and 54, she observed an airplane “fall from the sky into the woods.”
Police responded to the area between Broad Street in Merrimac to Pond Hill Road in Amesbury and Route 110. The Amesbury Police and Fire Departments were notified of the search, and the State Police Air Wing also called in to aid the investigation.
An Amesbury Fire official reported that several days earlier he had observed a remote controlled plane that matched the description of the one called in by the motorist in the same area. After searching all plausible areas on the ground, Chief Shears called off the State Police Air Wing, deeming the incident unfounded pending further information. Merrimac Police also received no reports of any aircraft missing from airports in the area.
“This was a concerted effort between multiple agencies,” Chief Shears said. “The reporting party did the right thing by notifying police. We always encourage residents to call 911 if they feel there’s an emergency.”
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