<p>Two young New Hampshire women riding a rented moped sustained serious injuries after hitting a dump truck on Barnes Road early Saturday afternoon. Both are recovering.</p>
The two young New Hampshire women who sustained serious injuries in a moped accident on the Vineyard Saturday are both recovering.
Both are division one lacrosse players at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, according to the university website.
Noelle Lambert, 19, of Manchester, N.H., lost her leg in the accident when the moped she was operating hit a dump truck on Barnes Road. Her passenger on the moped, Kelly Moran, 19, of Newfields, N.H., was also injured although less seriously.
Ms. Lambert was airlifted to the Boston Medical Center shortly after the accident early Saturday afternoon. Late Monday afternoon, she was listed in fair condition.
Ms. Moran was rushed into surgery at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital Saturday. A report on her condition was not available from the Vineyard hospital on Monday, although on Sunday Oak Bluffs police said she was recovering and doing well.
Both women are listed as members of the women's lacrosse team at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, a division one school. According to the school website, Ms. Lambert is an attacker and Ms. Moran a midfielder. Both were named to the America East All-Rookie team this year.
Oak Bluffs police, fire and EMS were called to the scene on Barnes Road at around 12:35 p.m. Saturday after the moped being operated by Ms. Lambert and Ms. Moran hit the dump truck, near the entrance to the youth tennis center just off the roundabout. Sgt. Steven Conley told the Gazette Sunday said an investigation into the cause of the crash found the moped, traveling south on Barnes Road, had moved too far to the right toward the shoulder of the road, then over corrected and moved too far to the left, colliding with the truck.
The operator of the truck was Augustus (Brant) Ben David of West Tisbury. Mr. Ben David was not injured and no citations have been issued, police said.
“For Mr. Ben David this is just an unfortunate circumstance, and obviously for the women as well,” Sergeant Conley said.
The two women were visiting the Island and had rented the moped from Ride On rentals in Oak Bluffs, police said.
Both women were stabilized at the scene, Oak Bluffs fire chief John Rose said.
A portion of Barnes Road was closed for a time following the accident. Edgartown police assisted with traffic control during the response.
Comments
Martha's Vineyard roads are
Lisa Oak BluffsMartha's Vineyard roads are too narrow and winding for mopeds to safely share the road with cars and trucks!! MV visitors who rent mopeds make a logical assumption it must be safe or MV wouldn't allow rentals. Decades of so many naive and inexperienced moped renter deaths and injuries! How do the officials who allow MV moped rentals and moped business owners sleep at night?!!! Prayers for the recent victims and they're loved one's of one of the most horrific tragic moped accidents on MV to date.
If the Governor or other
Paul Adler West TisburyIf the Governor or other ranking official had one of theur kids or relatives harmed on a moped the laws would change very quickly
First, take off the governors
Josh ChilmarkFirst, take off the governors so that the mopeds can go the same speed as traffic. This will take away the need for them to ride the shoulder, hold up traffic, and be passed. They will then act as normal vehicles. Second, make them single rider mopeds. Third, create a significant tax for the riders that they sign off on as a line item on the rental form that goes to the Emergency responders in each town. Highlight that this tax is in place because mopeds are dangerous and you could get significantly hurt.
Anyone who has driven behind
Concerned OBAnyone who has driven behind a string of doubled-up moped riders is witness to how unsafe and precarious that scenario is for all involved. Passing moped riders in a car is a white knuckle moment. This isn't debatable, the data is evidence. Those riders have a dramatically increased probability of injury or death. This is simple: the good people of the island need to put their heads together to find a solution. Same as with drug dealers and plastic bags. #scorchedearth.
I am a tourist & had no clue
Carol NYI am a tourist & had no clue to the dangers of mopeds on the island. I hope you do pursue banning the companies that rent mopeds. Please find a way. This is a horrific accident & forever changed this young girl's life & the local truck drivers.
Add new comment