Three Sudbury OPP officers sent to hospital Friday

OPP News Release

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On September 24, 2010 at 5:30 a.m. Sudbury OPP officers responded to an incident involving a tractor-trailer on Highway 69 at Alstone Road, Bigwood Township (approximately 4-5 kms south of Highway 64).

Preliminary investigation reveals that the tractor-trailer was northbound on Highway 69 when the driver noticed the trailer was on fire. The driver managed to stop the vehicle along the highway, unhook the trailer portion and drive to a safe location to call 911. The trailer was carrying 68 kilograms of Nitric Acid along with vehicle parts, machinery, paper etc… Nitric Acid is a highly corrosive dangerous good used to manufacture fertilisers and explosives.

The male driver and the male passenger, both from Brampton were not injured. The French River Fire Department attended the scene and extinguished the fire. The trailer was completely destroyed by fire.

Highway 69 re-opened to one lane for northbound and southbound traffic at approximately 9:15 a.m. Highway 64 and Highway 607 have also been re-opened. The highway will remain down to one lane until after the clean-up of the scene has been completed, which is expected to be around 3:00 p.m.

Officials from the Ministry of Environment (MOE) are currently on scene assisting with the investigation and clean-up. Officers have notified the MTO, CANUTEC (Canadian Transportation Emergency Centre) and Transport Canada.

Due to the wind direction at the time of the incident, officers conducting traffic control away from the scene were exposed to fumes and as a result, three OPP officers are presently being treated at Sudbury Regional Hospital. The OPP has also received calls from residents in Alban complaining of irritation of the nose, throat and respiratory tract. It is recommended that anyone having any health concerns, experiencing symptoms related to this matter or having been exposed to the fumes, to attend the hospital as soon as possible or call 911.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The investigation is continuing.

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