Salisbury firefighter dies after accident

By John M. Guilfoil, Globe Staff

Salisbury Fire Lieutenant Tim Oliveria, a beloved family man and 27-year veteran firefighter, died this afternoon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of injuries suffered Friday when a departmental vehicle he was doing maintenance on fell on him. He was 53.

Oliveria was the departmental mechanic for the small town on the New Hampshire border. He was performing a routine oil change on a fire department SUV when the jacked-up vehicle fell on his chest, causing massive internal injuries. His heart had stopped when other firefighters reached him, but they were able to resuscitate him before he arrived at a local hospital.

His family, fellow firefighters, and officials from around the state kept a vigil at the hospital since Friday, hoping for positive news. But Oliveria’s injuries were too severe.

The accident rocked the tiny fire department of about 20 members. The on-duty crew was taken out of work Friday night, as stress debriefing teams worked with them.

Oliveria was described by his colleagues as popular, with a trademark fireman’s mustache. His honesty and “spade is a spade” mentality made him trustworthy both at work and away from the job, said Steven LeSage, Salisbury Deputy Fire Chief.

Oliveria leaves two adult daughters and his wife, Pam, who is the sister of Salisbury Fire Chief Richard Souliotis.