Multiple collisions on Highway 401 congested traffic for most of the morning on Friday, October 4, 2024.
The incidents started shortly before midnight on Thursday, October 3, when multiple reports of a tractor trailer fire were reported on Highway 401 west of Brighton.
Northumberland OPP, Northumberland County Paramedics and Brighton Fire Department responded to the scene.
When fire crews arrived the tractor trailer was fully engulfed in flames on the right hand shoulder of the westbound lanes.
All lanes of the highway were shut down for several hours to extinguish the fire with assistance from Cramahe Township Fire Department shuttling water to the scene.
At approximately 8 a.m., there were two collisions that occurred at approximately the same time, but were likely unrelated.
A eastbound transport and a vehicle hauling a boat collided approximately two-kilometres west of Brighton.
There was minor damage to the transport, but the vehicle went into the ditch coming to rest on its side.
The boat was dislodged from the trailer.
Northumberland OPP Constable James Clarke said four people from the vehicle were transported to hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries.
A short distance away, three transports and a vehicle were involved in a collision in the westbound lanes west of County Road 30 in Brighton.
Two of the transports were heavily damaged with one rolling onto its side in the median.
One person from the vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Highway 401 was again closed for several hours for the clean up and one lane was reopened at approximately 10:30 a.m.
None of the transports were carrying hazardous materials.
The transport in the median will be removed overnight or during Saturday because of the volume of traffic along the highway on Friday.
Brighton Fire Chief Gene Thompson said there were several other emergencies during that time and thanks neighbouring assistance from Cramahe Township Fire Department and commended the firefighters who worked approximately 12-hours overnight.
Speaking at the scene of the collision Clarke reiterated how important it is to obey the Emergency Detour Route signs.
“Please stick to the Emergency Detour Routes – they are in place for a reason. We do not want extra people backlogging.”
Clarke also reminds drivers when going past a collision to not take photos while driving.
“There is no need to videotape or take photographs of these while you’re on the phone. That takes your attention away from the traffic that’s meant to be flowing, you can’t account for any hazards and its against the law.”
At County Road 30 and the westbound off-ramp numerous transports and vehicles ignored the EDR sign that states to go south and instead proceeded onto Telephone Road.
Just minutes after Northumberland OPP re-opened the westbound on-ramp at County 30 there were dangerous conditions as a number of vehicles were exiting off the on-ramp.
A pickup hauling a camper also backup on the on-ramp.
One driver spoke with Today’s Northumberland and said he realized he was going the wrong way, but said he was unaware the on-ramp to the highway had been re-opened.
Stating he’d been stuck in traffic for 1.5 hours.
Northumberland OPP Media Release
The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were on scene for a vehicle fire and two unrelated collisions this morning.
On October 3, 2024, at approximately 11:40 p.m., the Municipality of Brighton Fire Department and OPP were dispatched to a Tractor-Trailer fire on Highway 401 Westbound, in the Municipality of Brighton. The trailer load caught on fire and crews worked for several hours to extinguish the flame. The Highway was closed shortly after the report and was open to one lane on October 4, 2024, approximately 3:00 a.m. There were no injuries reported and the investigation is ongoing at this time.
On October 4, 2024, at approximately 8:15 a.m., OPP responded to reports of two unrelated collisions on Highway 401 in the Municipality of Brighton. The Municipality of Fire Department responded to both along with Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
A westbound collision involved three tractor-trailers and a passenger vehicle. One of the tractor-trailers involved rolled and came to rest in the central grass median. All three commercial vehicle drivers were uninjured. The driver of the passenger vehicle was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.
There were no other reports of persons requiring medical attention.
Highway 401 westbound was closed at County Road 30 with an emergency diversion route in place. The scene remained closed until approximately 11:00 a.m. when one lane was opened with both lanes open at approximately 11:15 a.m.
An eastbound collision involved a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle which was towing a vessel. The passenger vehicle ended up in the ditch to the south of the highway and the tractor-trailer stopped on the hard shoulder. Four occupants of the passenger vehicle attended a local hospital as a precaution and the commercial vehicle driver was uninjured. One eastbound lane was closed for tow removal before opening shortly thereafter.
These investigations are on-going, and updates will be provided when available.
Northumberland OPP would like to take this opportunity to remind drivers that holding or using a hand-held communication devices to take videos and photos at collisions while driving past is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act, leading to a fine of $615.00 and demerit points.
Taking photos and videos while driving divides your attention and significantly increases the risk of causing another collision. You may not notice changes in traffic or road signs, the presence of emergency services personnel and leads to dangerous situations.
The OPP is committed to reducing and preventing injuries on roads, highways, waterways, and trails, while enhancing safety for motorists and all other road users through public education and enforcement.
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
