(TOWN OF ERIN, ON) – On October 19, 2014 at approximately 6:01 p.m. members of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a tractor trailer rollover at the intersection of Main Street and Wellington Road 124 in the Town of Erin.
Investigation revealed that the tractor trailer, loaded with 800 turkeys, was attempting to turn left to go westbound on Wellington Road 124 when it tipped over onto its right side.
Officers responded along with the Town of Erin Fire and Emergency Services.
The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) was notified due a diesel spill.
Wellington County Large Animal Rescue and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency also attended to deal with disposal of deceased turkeys, euthanasia of the injured and inspection of the living. Approximately half of the turkeys survived.
The driver was not injured and the roads remained closed for approximately seven hours while crews attempted to remove the tractor trailer and turkeys and clean up the diesel spill.
Serge COTE age 52 of Zorra Township has been charged with Careless Driving contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. He is scheduled to appear in Guelph Provincial Court on November 19, 2014 to answer to the charge.