Worker seriously injured after bucket truck tips over on Memorial Drive

Accident shuts down part of Cambridge parkway for several hours

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A worker was seriously injured Wednesday morning when a bucket truck doing tree work toppled into traffic on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, shutting down a stretch of the parkway between North Harvard and JFK for several hours. State police say the person in the bucket was taken to the hospital, while a nearby driver escaped injury despite vehicle damage. An investigation into what caused the truck to tip is ongoing.

Why it matters

The accident on Memorial Drive, a major thoroughfare in Cambridge, caused significant disruption to traffic and raised concerns about safety on the parkway, especially for workers conducting maintenance and repairs. The incident highlights the risks associated with operating heavy machinery near busy roads and the need for robust safety protocols to protect both workers and the public.

The details

According to reports, the bucket truck was performing tree work on Memorial Drive when it tipped over into the roadway. The worker in the bucket was seriously injured and transported to the hospital, while a nearby driver whose vehicle was damaged managed to escape unharmed. State police are investigating the cause of the accident, which shut down a stretch of the parkway for several hours as crews worked to clear the scene.

  • The accident occurred on Wednesday morning.

The players

Memorial Drive

A major parkway in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

State Police

The law enforcement agency investigating the cause of the bucket truck accident.

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What’s next

The investigation into the cause of the bucket truck accident is ongoing, and authorities will likely review safety protocols for workers conducting maintenance and repairs on busy roadways to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This accident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by workers who must perform their duties in close proximity to heavy traffic, and highlights the need for robust safety measures to protect both employees and the public. As Cambridge continues to grapple with infrastructure challenges, this incident underscores the importance of prioritizing worker and public safety in all transportation-related projects and maintenance activities.