There were no injuries reported after a firetruck and police cruiser slid into the ditch because of icy roads on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.
At approximately 6:45 a.m. emergency services were called to a vehicle that slid into the ditch close to a creek at the intersection of Elgin Street East and Workman Road in Cobourg’s east end.
Police were first on scene at the collision and the lone occupant had minor injuries and was transported to hospital.
Even though one cruiser was stopped it partially slid into the ditch because the road was glare ice.
Numerous other vehicles were also stopped as they couldn’t get up the hill on Elgin Street East.
A responding firetruck coming down the hill tried to take evasive action on the icy roads to avoid numerous vehicles at the bottom of the hill including several police cruisers.
The pumper firetruck with two people inside slid off the road into the north ditch rolling on its side.
The two firefighters weren’t hurt following the accident.
Colleen MacDonald said she was driving eastbound on Elgin Street East when she lost control as she crested the hill.
“The roads were not salted and I went for a slide into the ditch.”
MacDonald stayed inside her vehicle given the roads were glare ice.
“There was absolutely no grip.”
When the collisions first happened, MacDonald said she didn’t even know the emergency service vehicles were in the ditch because it was dark out.
“The roads should have been sanded a lot sooner.
Chadwick’s Towing was on scene with a heavy tow truck to remove the firetruck from the ditch and Elgin Street East remained closed till shortly after 10 a.m.
Another vehicle went in the ditch on Workman Road just south of Elgin Street East, but there were no injuries.
James Walker who lives at the bottom of Elgin Street East by Workman Road said accidents happen regularly on the stretch of roadway.
“It happens everytime the rain freezes on the road.”
“With the crowning on the road, the cars keep going into the ditch and nothing seems to change.”
Walker also points out there is no guardrail by the bridge over the creek.
“It’s dangerous.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
