Tewksbury, MA — October 26, 2025 — The Northern Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center (NMRECC) dispatchers demonstrated outstanding teamwork Saturday afternoon while assisting with the rescue of a juvenile who had fallen off his dirt bike deep in the wooded trail system off Chandler Well Fields in Tewksbury.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 25th, NMRECC received a 911 call from a juvenile who reported that his friend had crashed his dirt bike somewhere along the Chandler Well Fields trail network near Judith E Drive. The caller believed his friend had broken his leg. The caller was unsure of his exact location, but thanks to precise 911 mapping technology, dispatchers were able to pinpoint a likely area within the trail system.
Supervisor Joey Aberle, who was serving as the call taker, first obtained critical information about the patient’s condition and status. Once it was determined the patient was in stable enough condition, Supervisor Aberle then attempted to guide the caller to a trailhead access point. Although the caller’s poor cell service prevented him from pulling up a map, his local knowledge of the trails helped him navigate back to a roadway. He eventually emerged onto Kent Street, allowing Tewksbury Police and Fire personnel to reach the area more effectively.
Because the original caller had to leave his injured friend’s side to guide rescuers, Supervisor Aberle instructed the patient to call 911 from his own cellphone. Supervisor Janice Judd answered that call and maintained open communication with the injured juvenile, keeping him calm and informed while responders made their way into the wooded area.
A Tewksbury Police officer retrieved the town’s shared UTV from Livingston Street Park and responded to the scene, prepared to assist with patient access and extrication if needed.
Meanwhile, dispatchers Rebecca Maccaro, Josh Tirrell, and Trainee John Colon supported the operation by relaying updates, coordinating resources, and continuing to manage additional emergency and business calls coming into the center.
“This incident is a great example of how our dispatchers work together behind the scenes to connect people in need with help as quickly as possible,” said NMRECC Supervisor Joey Aberle. “Every second matters, and this call showed how training, technology, and teamwork come together to make a difference. You know you have a great team when not a single word is said and everyone just jumps into action.”
Once the juvenile was located by responders, dispatchers took it one step further and contacted the juvenile’s parents to inform them of the situation and guide them to the scene.
“I’m extremely proud of how our dispatchers handled this call,” said Executive Director Brian O'Neill. “Lost people on trails can be a difficult situation, and this is a great example of how their skills and use of technology helped bring a safe and successful outcome.”
The juvenile was ultimately located and transported by Tewksbury Fire Department for treatment. NMRECC extends its appreciation to Tewksbury Police and Fire Departments for their quick response and collaboration.