Published in the June 17, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Firefighters had to rescue boaters in two separate incidents on Saturday as high winds proved challenging for those operating watercraft on Lake Quannapowitt.
Just before 2 p.m., a caller reported a catamaran had overturned with two occupants in the water about 50 yards offshore at the Common. Firefighters donned dry suits and went out to assist with getting the vessel turned upright and bringing the two occupants back to shore.
At about 5:45 p.m., the Fire Department responded to the area of Beebe’s Cove (across from Cordis Street) after a caller reported a canoeist and two children apparently stuck on the rocks. Firefighters found a father and two children stranded and unable to paddle back to the Common due to the high winds. Firefighters deployed a rescue boat and towed the canoe and the boaters back to the Common.
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At about 10 a.m. on Friday, a Wakefield Fire Department crew reported that the train gates were malfunctioning at the Broadway crossing. The MBTA responded.
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At about 4:15 p.m. on Friday, police assisted drivers with the exchange of information after a minor two-car accident at Main and Centre streets involving a 2005 Chrysler Sebring driven by a Stoneham man and a 2014 Nissan Rogue operated by a Wakefield man.
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A three-car, rear-end crash drew police, Fire and Action Ambulance to the Vernon and Salem street intersection at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday. Police said that the lead car in the chain-reaction crash was a 2013 Nissan Altima driven by a Melrose woman, followed by a 2006 Honda Accord driven by a Wakefield man and a 2011 Toyota Tacoma driven by a Wakefield man. There were no reported injuries.
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At about 7:15 p.m. on Friday, police assisted drivers with the exchange of papers after a minor crash on Albion Street involving a 2006 Toyota Tacoma driven by a Stoneham man and a 2011 Nissan Versa driven by a Wakefield man.
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A man was taken to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital after he fell off his bike in the area of Main and Charles streets at about 3 p.m. on Saturday.
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Police were called to McDonald’s on Main Street at about 5:45 p.m. on Saturday after an employee found a hypodermic needle on the floor of the men’s room. Police recovered and disposed of the syringe.
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A 52-year-old Reading woman was arrested for drunk driving Saturday night after police pulled her over for speeding on North Avenue. According to police, Sgt. Jonathan Burnham was in his cruiser behind a 2016 Chevy Malibu traveling north on Main Street just after 10 p.m. The car took a left onto Church Street and then turned onto North Avenue. Sgt. Burnham conducted the stop in the area of Fielding Street after the car was clocked at 45 mph in a 30 mph zone.
While speaking with the driver, Sgt. Burnham detected an odor of alcohol and observed other signs of intoxication. Based on his observations, Sgt. Burnham arrested Jennifer W. Kramer of 42 Kiernan Rd. in Reading for operating under the influence of alcohol. She was also charged with speeding.
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Two people were injured and taken to an area hospital after a two-car crash early Sunday morning on Route 128. Just after 4 a.m., the Fire Department sent a crew to the northbound side of the highway, near Exit 40. According to reports, one vehicle had stopped in the high speed land and another vehicle slammed into the rear of the first vehicle.
