One person is believed to have suffered major injuries following a collision on Highway 401 east of Brighton on February 13, 2019.
At approximately 9:40 a.m. emergency services responded to a collision in the westbound lanes of Highway 401 approximately three kilometres east of Brighton.
One tractor trailer jack-knifed into the median wall blocking all lanes of the westbound lanes.
A short time after, another tractor trailer jack-knifed just east of the first collision.
Brighton Fire Chief Rick Caddick said, “condition en route were much less than favourable. There were white out conditions and the roads were extremely slippery at that time.”
Caddick said collision stretch for several kilometres mostly from people rear-ending other vehicles trying to stop.
In the second collision, four other vehicles were involved along with the transport. One of the vehicles appears to have collided with the back corner of the tractor trailer. The driver of the vehicle had to be extricated by members of the Brighton Fire Department.
Caddick said, “it was a bit of a difficult extrication because there was quite extensive damage to the vehicle.”
Scott Mountney who is a Toronto firefighter was hit from behind as the tractor trailer was coming at him sideways down the highway.
“He was coming up the hill sideways. I watched him coming in my rear view mirror so I was bracing for impact.”
Mountney tried to take evasive action, but hit the back end of another vehicle.
After the vehicles had stopped Mountney got out and helped treat the injured driver who was trapped.
“This is the second one I’ve been in like this and it’s not fun – seeing it coming.”
The pickup suffered major damage, but other than being sore, Mountney seemed ok as he sat in his truck.
Members of the Quinte West Fire Department assisted Brighton Fire Department in responding to the emergency just because of the number of vehicles involved along the highway.
Highway 401 will be closed for several hours due to the investigation involving the tractor trailer and the vehicle that collided with it.
Highway 401 westbound will remain closed for several hours. There is an Emergency Detour Route (EDR) set up. Traffic is being directed off at County Road 40 mile marker 522 in Quinte West north to County Road 41 and will be re-directed back onto the highway at County Road 30 mile marker 509 in Brighton. Please follow the EDR to re-enter the Highway 401 at County Road 30.
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
