Rockland: Two injured in crash between car and police cruiser

A Rockland woman and a Rockland police officer were both hospitalized after a motor vehicle crash Thursday afternoon.

Police say that at 1:54 pm Rockland Police Officer James McLaughlin was responding to a medical call on Park St. when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Liberty St. and East Water St.

McLaughlin was operating his cruiser with lights and sirens on and was traveling North on Liberty St. As he proceeded through the intersection he was struck by a silver sedan which was traveling West on East Water St.

The operator of the silver sedan, a 52-year old Rockland woman, was transported to Brockton Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Officer McLaughlin had to be freed from his cruiser by the Rockland Fire Department using the Jaws of Life. He was transported to South Shore Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The motor vehicle accident is under investigation by both the Massachusetts State Police and the Rockland Police Department.