It was a close call for emergency services on Highway 401 on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
At approximately 8 a.m. emergency services were dispatched to a single vehicle collision in the westbound lanes of Highway 401 east of the Hamilton Road overpass (east of Port Hope).
A vehicle appeared to have lost control when it possibly hydroplaned on a area of water that had pooled in the left lane of traffic. The vehicle struck the median wall and went across the highway into the ditch.
Northumberland OPP, Northumberland Paramedics, Cobourg Fire Department and Hamilton Township Fire Department were dispatched to the collision.
While some of the emergency crews and also a tow-truck had arrived a second vehicle lost control under what are believed to have been similar circumstances.
James Hussey who owns Next Level Towing was on scene at the time of the second collision.
The right hand lane was blocked for the safety of emergency services at the time.
“I was talking with the officers beside my tow truck and saw a silver vehicle coming in the fast lane hydroplane, go sideways,” said Hussey.
“I yelled at the officers to “watch out” and they started running towards the front of the (tow) truck like me.”
“The car came sideways and bounced off the driver’s side front of the cruiser and then bounced into the back-right of my truck. The car bounced off one car into the other then down into the ditch.”
Hussey has been driving a tow-truck for 15-years and said it was “pretty scary.”
“This is the first time it’s happened to me. I’ve had friends who’ve actually been hit and killed before.”
With the speed of the out of control vehicle coming at the individuals, if it would have hit them they likely would have been seriously hurt or killed given the speed it was travelling.
“We were standing at the back of my truck and the back of my truck got hit.”
One person from the first collision was taken to hospital to be assessed, no one else was injured.
Hussey pointed out, “it comes down to slowing down and moving over.”
The investigation is continuing and no word on 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
