Massachusetts Firefighters Cut Woman's Ponytail To Extract Her From Conveyor Belt

Firefighters had to cut off a woman's hair Thursday evening after her ponytail got caught in a conveyor belt as she worked at Holiday Housewares.

Deputy Fire Chief Robert Sideleau said firefighters responded to Holiday Housewares at 25 Tucker Drive in South Leominster to help the woman.

"Our guys had to cut some of her hair off to free her," Sideleau said.

Randy Pouliot and Chris Guilmette, the ambulance drivers who responded to the call at about 4:45 p.m., said the woman's thick ponytail was "right against" the belt when they arrived.

Pouliot and Guilmette said they didn't know the woman's name because she only spoke Spanish.

The victim, who is in her early 30s, did not appear to have any major injuries, but suffered a bruised hand, Pouliot said. She was able to stand up and walk immediately after she was freed.

Firefighters put a neckbrace on the woman "mostly as a precaution" and transported her to HealthAlliance Hospital/Leominster, Sideleau said.