It was a deadly day on the roads following a series of unrelated collisions on Highway 401 from Cobourg to Colborne on Thursday, July 28, 2022.
Approximately five collisions took place between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. resulting in numerous people taking to hospital and tragically one person killed.
At approximately 3 p.m. emergency services responded to the westbound lanes of Highway 401, west of Colborne for a two-vehicle collision. It’s believed a SUV rear-ended a transport truck that was slowed or stopped along Highway 401 due to congestion in the area just west of Vernonville Road.
The driver of the SUV was pronounced deceased at the scene. The transport driver was not injured.
The westbound lanes of Highway 401 west of Colborne will be closed for several hours as OPP Technical Collision Investigators examine the scene.
Other collisions include:
· At approximately 9:30 a.m. emergency services responded to the area Highway 401 eastbound, east of Cobourg, just east of the Danforth Road bridge for a collision.
A Jeep was hauling a camper/trailer when both flipped over. The Jeep landed partially on the roadway and the Airstream trailer came to rest partially on the Jeep and on the guardrail.
There were no injuries, but Highway 401 was shut down for a period of time while the wreckage was removed.
· Emergency services then responded at 1:16 p.m. to a two vehicle collision on Highway 401 east of County Road 45 that resulted in minor injuries.
· At 1:33 p.m. emergency services responded to a three vehicle collision in the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 at the Danforth Road East overpass east of Cobourg. It appears it was a rear-end collision.
Two patients transported with minor injuries.
· Shortly after 2 p.m. emergency services in Cobourg responded to a two vehicle collision at the intersection on Strathy Road at the entrance to Walmart.
One person was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
· At 2:29 p.m. emergency services were dispatched to a transport truck that collided with a Cadillac SUV just east of the Gully Road overpass in the westbound lanes of Highway 401 east of Cobourg. It’s believed the Cadillac with one adult and three children was slowed or stopped on the highway due to congestion when the transport truck slammed into the back of the vehicle, pushing it into the median wall.
Numerous paramedic units were dispatched to the scene to treat the injured. All the occupants were transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Northumberland OPP Constable Rob Simpson said although all collisions are under investigation, there was heavy traffic and congestion on the highway throughout the day.
“In situations like this, just be patient. Everyone is doing the best they can. And pay attention to the road.”
When collisions happen, motorists have a tendency to become distracted and look at the emergency vehicles and debris.
“But when you’re looking, you’re not paying attention to where you’re going.”
“Sometimes rear-end collisions can happen as a result of that. It’s for everybody’s safety – especially your own. So just pay attention.”
When traffic is re-routed follow the Emergency Detour Routes that are marked at exits of the highway as EDR signs.
“Stick to the routes. They’ll get you where you need to go.”
Simpson said it might be slow, “but it’s your safest route.”
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
