Bow recognizes two DPW workers who rescued driver of overturned propane truck

Bruce Maxwell and Duane Reese were recognized by Bow fire chief Dennis Comeau for rescuing the driver of the overturned propane truck on Tuesday, April 15.

Bruce Maxwell and Duane Reese were recognized by Bow fire chief Dennis Comeau for rescuing the driver of the overturned propane truck on Tuesday, April 15. Tonia Linquist—Courtesy

Bruce Maxwell and Duane Reese were recognized by Bow fire chief Dennis Comeau for rescuing the driver of the overturned propane truck on Tuesday, April 15.

Bruce Maxwell and Duane Reese were recognized by Bow fire chief Dennis Comeau for rescuing the driver of the overturned propane truck on Tuesday, April 15. Tonia Linquist / Courtesy

By RACHEL WACHMAN

Monitor staff

Published: 04-23-2025 3:42 PM

Modified: 04-23-2025 3:51 PM


When a propane delivery tank overturned on I-93 last Tuesday morning near Bow, two members of the Bow Department of Public Works heard the crash. Bruce Maxwell and Duane Reese exited their office and ran up the hill to the scene.

They saw that the grass around the truck had caught fire due to heat from the exhaust and motor, according to Bow Fire Chief Dennis Comeau. The truck was also leaking propane.

“Without a thought of their own safety, they climbed the truck and were able to extricate the driver to safety,” Comeau said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. “He was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. These two heroes then simply returned to their work. Their selflessness was noted [Wednesday] morning at our department head meeting with the fire department’s Life Saving Award and commendation for their valor.”

Bow Fire Department responded to the incident along with units from Hooksett, Allenstown, Concord, Hopkinton and Manchester, the Central NH HazMat team and the chief of Capital Area Mutual Fire Aid.

The crash did not cause an explosion but prompted State Police to close lanes of the highway at mile marker 32.8 in Bow for around an hour and a half, leading to traffic delays.

Rachel Wachman can be reached at rwachman@cmonitor.com.