Two OPP officers were hospitalized yesterday while helping investigate an accident on Highway 69 that involved hazardous materials.
Shortly before 6 a.m., a West Parry Sound OPP officer responded to a traffic accident involving two transports, which caused a chemical spill on the Key River Bridge near Britt.
The officer was exposed to a potentially hazardous chemical and was taken to hospital for a precautionary medical assessment. Highway 69 was closed as a result of the crash. There was no threat to public safety.
A second officer was conducting traffic control on Highway 400 near Parry Sound, because of the crash at Key River. While in her cruiser with all emergency lights activated, she was hit by a northbound vehicle. The officer suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries, and was also taken to hospital by EMS. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
North Bay Fire is part of the Haz-Mat response team for the province.
"At about 6:30 yesterday morning we were requested to respond to a confirmed motor vehicle collision involving two tractor-trailers," says Deputy Chief Greg Saunders. "One of the trailers was loaded with hazardous materials and was leaking an unknown product.
"North Bay Fire personnel arrived on scene and coordinated the response to the incident with partners from Britt Fire Department, who were first on the scene and safely rescued the drivers of the tractors. The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Transportation, OPP and members of the North Bay Fire Haz-Mat team were able to successfully and safely manage the incident ensuring that nobody else was exposed or injured at the scene. The hazardous materials were successfully contained and cleaned up," added Saunders.
See: Update: Highway remains closed (North Bay fire department called to scene of hazardous material accident)
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. Highway 69 was opened for traffic.
The commercial vehicle drivers were not injured.
