A major multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 293 in Manchester, New Hampshire, caused significant emergency response activity on Wednesday morning, September 23, 2026. The collision involved six vehicles near Exit 2 and Brown Avenue, resulting in a commercial box truck breaking through a bridge guardrail and falling into the Merrimack River.
Emergency crews responded after receiving reports of the crash around 7:41 a.m. Fire and rescue personnel found the truck driver standing on top of the partially submerged vehicle and successfully rescued him from the river using Manchester Fire Department water-rescue units. Additional crews worked to free people trapped inside damaged vehicles on the highway.
A total of 11 people were treated at the scene, with seven individuals transported to nearby hospitals for injuries that were reported to be non-life-threatening. Fire, police, and EMS teams from Bedford, Goffstown, and Londonderry also assisted with the emergency response.
New Hampshire State Police closed I-293 North while investigators examined the crash scene, including vehicle damage, debris, and roadway evidence. Environmental crews also placed containment equipment in the Merrimack River as a precaution while salvage teams worked to remove the submerged truck and address damage to the bridge railing.
The crash caused major traffic delays throughout the Manchester area as motorists were diverted around the closure. Officials continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision, with further updates expected regarding roadway reopening and the ongoing