The driver of a cement truck was trapped for over two-hours in his cab after it rolled on its side in Roseneath on Monday, July 5, 2021.
Shortly before 10 a.m. a cement truck was heading west on County Road 24 in Alnwick/Haldimand Township nearing County Road 45 when it’s believed it suffered a mechanical issue and lost power.
The cement truck went backwards down the hill out of control running over several trees and signs on both sides of the roadway. It went over a culvert on the south side of County Road 24 and came to rest on its side trapping the driver.
Alnwick/Haldimand Township Fire Department, Trent Hills Fire Department, two heavy tow-trucks, Northumberland County Paramedics, Ornge paramedics and Northumberland OPP were on scene for the rescue that was one of the most complex in recent memory in Northumberland County.
Alnwick/Haldimand Township Fire Chief Dave Dawson said when fire crews were dispatched reports were the vehicle was on fire.
“When we arrived there was an individual with a fire extinguished that had extinguished a very small fire on the right rear axle of the vehicle and we had one occupant, the driver, his left leg was pinned underneath the vehicle and there was extensive damage to the cab.”
The extrication of the driver took approximately 2.5 hours to complete and during that time firefighters used many tools to free the victim including heavy extrication equipment, air bags, power tools, shovels and even their bare hands to dig away the dirt.
“It was very complex because it was a four-axle fully loaded cement truck.”
Dawson said heat also played a factor for firefighters who had to rotate with fresh firefighters throughout the rescue.
“It was an extremely complex rescue.”
“It had to do with the leg, the position of the vehicle. Every bit of effort that we tried put a bit more pressure on the gentleman’s leg, but once we were able to excavate a bit of the ground and get some more air bags, more lifting tools in we were able to free the gentleman and get him out.”
The driver was transported to the Roseneath Fair Grounds where an air ambulance was waiting.
The victim was then transported to Kingston Hospital with what are believed to be leg injuries.
Members of the OPP Technical Collision Investigators spent several hours examining the scene.
Northumberland OPP is also looking to speak to the driver of possibly a white car that was behind the cement truck shortly before the incident happened or anyone that noticed the truck driving along County Road 24.
Please call Northumberland OPP at 905-372-5421.
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
