(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ON) – On May 26, 2016, at approximately 2:01 p.m., the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Strathroy Caradoc Fire Department (Strathroy, Mount Brydges, and Melbourne stations), and the Adelaide Metcalfe Fire Department (Kerwood station), responded to a three vehicle collision, which occurred on Highway 402 eastbound, in the lane closest to the shoulder, east of Hickory Drive, in the Municipality of Strathroy Caradoc, Ontario.
A Freightliner transport truck, hauling a white trailer (carrying a load of empty racks), was travelling eastbound on Highway 402, east of Hickory Drive, when it struck the rear of a stationary road maintenance truck. The impact propelled the unoccupied truck forward into the rear of an unoccupied water truck, which was stationary while a maintenance crew completed a wash down on the bridge.
The Freightliner subsequently caught fire, engulfing the cab and trailer. With assistance of the water truck, two workers were able to douse the cab and remove the male driver, who was the lone occupant. 58-year-old Rickey Lee HALL, from Highland Park, Michigan, United States of America (USA), was transported by ambulance with serious injuries to hospital, where he is currently listed in critical condition.
Both workers suffered minor injuries, but did not require medical attention at hospital.
The OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigators (TTCI) attended the scene to assist with the incident, which remains under investigation. The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) was notified regarding the creek located beneath the Sydenham River Bridge, and determined there are no concerns.
As a result of the dense smoke in the area, Highway 402 was temporarily closed in both directions. The westbound lanes, and the eastbound passing lane, were reopened on May 26, 2016.
The Highway 402 eastbound on-ramp at Hickory Drive remains closed, as does the shoulder lane of Highway 402 eastbound, from Hickory Drive, for approximately 500 meters. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO)
