(TOWNSHIP OF PERTH SOUTH, ON) On Friday March 11, 2011 shortly after 9 a.m. a tour bus carrying around twenty skiers from London to Collingwood broke down on Hwy. 23 south of Woodham. The bus was stopped partially on the shoulder and north bound lane.
A Perth County OPP officer checked on the safety of the passengers and the bus. The officer was assured that a second bus was being sent from London to pickup the passengers and arrangements were being made to have the bus moved.
Shortly after the bus broke down heavy snowfall and subsequent deteriorating road conditions resulted in the official closure of Hwy. 23 from Elginfield to Mitchell. Hwy. 23 south of the broken down bus was impassable as transport trucks became stuck in the snow on the highway. The second bus became blocked between the stranded transports on Hwy 23.
Heavy tow trucks were used to pull out the transport trucks which were behind the second bus allowing the bus to return to Elginfield. After the noon hour the second bus proceeded east bound on Hwy. 7 in an attempt to drive towards St.Marys and then backtrack via the back roads to Woodham. However, just east of Elginfield the bus was blocked again by stranded transport trucks on Hwy.7.
OPP officers continued to check on the well being of the passengers as well as being in communication with the bus company in attempts to arrangements made for another bus to transport the passengers.
Around 3:30 p.m. the second bus finally reached the broken down bus. The passengers were transferred to the second bus and were transported back to London. None of the passengers were any worse for wear except for the disappointment of not making it to Collingwood.