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EXTREME WEATHER CAUSES ROAD CLOSURE

(Selwyn Township, ON) – On Tuesday January 7, Peterborough County OPP closed the James Gifford Causeway, a raised two lane roadway that spans Chemong Lake in Ennismore. The roadway was closed due to extreme weather conditions.

Between 9:50 a.m. and 12:30 pm, 6 separate motor vehicle collisions were reported on the Causeway, several involving more than two vehicles and one collision involving 5 vehicles. The attending officers at the initial accidents found that the public safety was in jeopardy due to the high winds, and blowing snow. Officers reported that they were unable to travel safely on the roadway and visibility severely limited on the roadway.

As a result the roadway was closed by the OPP to prevent further peril to other drivers.

Despite the efforts to ensure safety of motorist’s two motorists chose to ignore the road closure and physically removed the barriers then drove on the cause way eventually both motorists eventually being stuck as well on the causeway before being located by the officers present.

As a result of their actions 20 year old Daniel BOOTH of Omemee and 29 year old Steven SKITCH of Ennismore have been charged with Driving on a Closed Highway, under the Highway Traffic Act.

OPP are reminding the public that road closures are posted for the public safety and should be taken seriously.