BEVERLY — As co-chairmen of Beverly's New Year, Bruce Doig and Don MacQuarrie had every intention of ringing in 2012 with a bang.
But this was not the kind of bang they had in mind.
Two hours into the New Year's Eve celebration that drew 2,000 people to downtown Beverly on Saturday, Doig and MacQuarrie were struck by a car as they were walking side by side in the crosswalk at Cabot and Dane streets.
MacQuarrie was knocked onto the hood and windshield of the vehicle before rolling off and onto the ground. Doig's right knee was briefly pinned under the bumper before he also fell. Paramedics put both men in neck braces and on backboards and took them to Beverly Hospital in separate ambulances.
X-rays revealed no broken bones or internal injuries. Doig and MacQuarrie said they are sore but also thankful the accident didn't turn out worse.
"We were fortunate (the driver) was able to stop quick enough because otherwise he would have run us over," Doig said.
Police issued a citation to the driver, Eric M. Gross, 52, of 4 Kelleher Road, Beverly. According to the police report, Gross was upset by the incident. He told police he had turned his attention to another vehicle that was turning left in front of him from Dane to Cabot, and that's when he struck Doig and MacQuarrie while they were in the crosswalk.
Doig, 52, the city's parks and recreation director, and MacQuarrie, 64, a vice president at Beverly Cooperative Bank, have helped organize the celebration for years and served as co-chairmen this year.
This was the second time in three years that MacQuarrie has been struck by a car while helping run Beverly's New Year.
Two years ago, he tried to stop a car that was heading toward the Grand Procession, a parade of costumed revelers down Cabot Street, he said. The driver didn't see MacQuarrie and ran over his feet, he said. His feet were bruised but not broken.
Beverly Main Streets Executive Director Gin Wallace, whose organization runs Beverly's New Year, said the organizing committee will meet with Beverly Police Department Traffic Sgt. Russell Rollins to discuss what measures can be taken to prevent a similar incident.
"If it had been a child, I can't even describe what that would be like," Wallace said.
A section of Cabot Street from Ellis Square to Pond Street is closed to traffic from 3 to 7:30 p.m. for Beverly's New Year, which consists of several indoor and outdoor events along Cabot Street and other downtown locations.
The location where the accident took place was not closed to traffic. Doig and MacQuarrie said they were walking down Cabot Street after checking out an event at Montserrat College of Art Gallery 301 and were in the crosswalk at Cabot and Dane when they were hit.
"I was to Bruce's right and was turning to talk to him and I heard him say, 'Watch out, Don!'" MacQuarrie said. "Next thing I know, we were both on the street."
Doig and MacQuarrie said the accident could have taken place at any time and was not particular to the New Year's Eve celebration. But they also said organizers will talk about extra safety precautions.
"We obviously want to keep it safe for everybody," Doig said. "Fortunately, it hasn't been any kids or families (who have been hurt.)"
Wallace said organizers could either expand the section of Cabot Street that is closed to traffic or move all of the events into a smaller area on Cabot Street that would be closed to traffic.
Wallace said about 2,000 people attended Beverly's New Year, which is about the usual number when the weather is good.
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by email at pleighton@salemnews.com.
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