The Fire Chief of Alnwick/Haldimand Township is pleading with transport drivers to slow down after a firetruck was struck at a scene on Highway 401.
Emergency services were at a multi-vehicle collision including a transport truck and vehicle on the westbound lanes of Highway 401 at approximately 2:40 a.m.
The collision happened between the overpasses of Danforth Road East and Gully Road east of Cobourg.
There were minor injuries at the collision, but because the cab of the transport when over the guardrails, there was the possibility of the fuel leak in the tanks of the transport. While tow crews were on scene,
Highway 401 was shut down in the area of the collision.
Fire Chief Dave Dawson said there were a number of blocker vehicles (fire trucks) which are used to protect emergency workers on scene.
The 2023 Rescue vehicle, had its emergency lights activated along with all the other emergency vehicles on scene.
Shortly after 5 a.m. a westbound transport traveling on the shoulder of the highway (median) struck the fire apparatus while it was blocking the highway.
One firefighter was in the apparatus at the time of the collision, but wasn’t injured.
After the collision the transport veered sharply to the right, passing through an area where emergency service workers had been just moments before. The transport ended up in the ditch.
The driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Dawson said the transport that struck the fire apparatus was not in the normal traveled portion of the highway when the collision occurred.
“I have to say to all transport truck drivers on the 401, all commuters on the 401 – please slow down.”
“It is so vitally important when our emergency service workers are out here on the 401. Their lives are on the line protecting other people and responding to those in need.”
“I beg you, please slow down.”
There is no word on the damage to the fire apparatus that was purchased at a cost of $464,000.
At press time there was no update on charges to the transport driver.
This is the second time a fire apparatus has been struck on Highway 401 in Northumberland County in February.
On February 3, 2025 a transport struck a Cobourg Fire Department pumper on Highway 401 sending one firefighter to hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the transport in the collision is facing six Highway Traffic Act 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
