In the early hours of Friday morning, a serious incident unfolded on Highway 401 near Newtonville Road as a tractor-trailer collided with a fire truck, resulting in two firefighters being rushed to the hospital. According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the collision occurred around 2:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes where the fire truck was strategically placed to block traffic following an earlier accident.
Inside the fire truck at the time of impact, the two firefighters sustained injuries deemed non-life-threatening. Despite this, they were swiftly transported to the hospital for further evaluation as a precautionary measure.
The aftermath of the crash led to a complete closure of the westbound lanes of Highway 401 at Newtonville Road, creating significant disruptions for commuters east of Oshawa. Sgt. Kerry Schmidt from the OPP’s Highway Safety Division advised motorists to anticipate extensive delays during their morning travels, with an estimated additional two hours required before the highway can be fully reopened.
As investigations into the cause of the collision continue, the OPP is emphasizing the importance of vigilance for drivers in the vicinity and recommending the consideration of alternate routes to navigate the ongoing traffic challenges.