Two-hour search ends with rescue of teen after Bellingham car crash

BELLINGHAM, Mass. (WLNE) — A New Year’s Day crash in Bellingham led to a two-hour search of a wooded area for a missing teenage vehicle occupant.

The incident occurred at approximately 3 a.m. Thursday on South Main Street near Scott Street, according to Bellingham police.

An automated crash alert brought police to the scene, where officers located an SUV that had hit a utility pole.

There were no occupants on the scene.

Officers discovered footprints leading into a wooded area, and followed them to an injured male teen occupant who was close to unconsciousness due to the freezing temperatures.

A second teen was found after a two-hour mutual aid search which included a Wrentham PD K-9 unit.

The teens were taken to a local hospital for observation and treatment.

A third occupant was later confirmed to have left the wooded area, being picked up by an unknown vehicle.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

K-9 Cruiser was treated to a McDonald’s meal as a reward.