Ontario Provincial Police are saying it’s a miracle no one was seriously injured or killed after a set of wheels of a tanker truck came off on Highway 401 on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.
Northumberland OPP Constable Kevin McAllister said police were notified by construction workers that wheels of a tanker truck came off striking the wall just where they were working at approximately 12:40 p.m.
Northumberland OPP were conducting traffic enforcement in the construction area just west of Cobourg along Highway 401 in Hamilton Township when construction workers notified them a set of wheels had just come off a tanker truck that was carrying 57,000 litres of gasoline.
The full wheel assembly came off the tanker with one wheel striking the median wall just inches from the top. There was heavy traffic heading eastbound and a number of construction workers were also working on the eastbound side of the highway.
“It appears the tire struck at the very top of the wall,” said McAllister.
“We were very lucky no one was killed or injured.”
“It definitely was a miracle. There is no other way to explain it.”
“The traffic was backed up on both sides, down to a crawl. There were construction workers, two police officers in the area as well as all the other motorists. Those tires are very heavy and when they are at highway speeds and collide with things they cause a lot of damage.”
The tanker pulled over a short distance away from where the wheels came off.
Ministry of Transportation Officers along with OPP inspected the tanker thoroughly.
Police said the driver and company are facing charges.
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
