By Kristin LaFratta MassLive.com
STERLING, Mass. ā Two Sterling Police officers and one Massachusetts State Police trooper were treated for opioid exposure after responding to a fatal overdose in Sterling that required a HazMat and multi-agency response.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Friday — which was considered international overdose awareness day — authorities from Sterling’s fire and police departments were dispatched to 55 Lucas Road for a report of an unresponsive male.
The overdose victim was found dead when Emergency Medical Services arrived, according to a media release by the Sterling Fire Department. He has not been identified.
When authorities first responded to the scene, they encountered several “small bags of an unidentified power-like substance” near the body, “along with some of the same substance poured onto a table.”
Sterling Police contacted Massachusetts State Police and the State Medical Examiner’s Office who later responded to the scene as well.
While investigating, two Sterling Police officers and one state trooper began showing signs of possible fentanyl exposure.
“The officers and trooper all described feeling dizzy and nauseous with a tingling sensation,” Sterling Fire said in a statement.
EMS crews and fire officials, including Sterling Fire Chief David Hurlbut, were brought back to the scene to examine the police officers and trooper. Five HazMat technicians were later called to the scene, as well as a Tactical Support Unit.
Medical crews confirmed the three were experiencing symptoms of opioid exposure and they were all transported to local hospitals where they were treated and released.
