(TOWNSHIP OF PERTH EAST, ON) On Tuesday July 27, 2010 at 12:20 p.m., Perth County OPP officers, the Perth East Fire Dept. and Perth County Ambulance personnel were dispatched to a single motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Hwy. 8 and Road 145 between Stratford and Mitchell.
Investigation indicated that a west bound full sized tractor trailer on Hwy. 8 veered from its lane onto the north shoulder and crossed Road 145. It collided with a hydro pole, entered onto a residential property and struck a large tree which toppled over. Upon impact with the tree the tractor (truck) burst into flames. The driver and passenger of the truck both from the Brampton area, were injured and were unable to exit the burning truck. Passing motorists who had witnessed the crash rushed over to the burning vehicle and pulled the two male occupants to safety. Provincial Constable Margaret Geurts, the investigating officer said “the passing motorists who stopped and pulled the two males from the burning truck saved their livesâ€. She advised that these motorists left the scene shortly after ambulance personnel arrived.
The Perth East Fire Dept. fought the fire for nearly two and a half hours due to the burning contents of the trailer. The trailer was loaded with newspapers and news print material.
Both the driver and passenger were transported by Perth County Ambulance to the Stratford General Hospital where they are being treated for their non life threatening injuries.
Highway 8 was closed from 12:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. to allow the fire department to extinguish the blaze and for hydro crews to repair the poles and lines. Traffic was re-routed around the scene during the duration of the highway closure. Large salvage equipment worked into the evening to remove the vehicle and the debris.
The Perth County OPP is continuing to investigate the cause of this collision.