(Updated 3 p.m., Dec. 7)
Icy conditions cause string of accidents along Hwy. 417
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Icy conditions are being blamed for a series of accidents that occured along a stretch of Hwy. 417 between Anderson Road to Rockdale Road on Saturday morning.

Emergency crews responded to five separate accidents involving nine vehicles over a 60 minute period. The collisions occured over an 11 kilometre stretch of the highway in both the east- and westbound lanes. Police say the accidents were the result of motorists failing to adjust their speed given the icy conditions.

A total of nine paramedic units responded from Ottawa, Prescott/Russell and Cornwall, including seven ambulances, one supervisor and the Ottawa Paramedic Service's (TRU) Treatment Rehab Unit, a 40-foot paramedic bus that can be used to treat and provide shelter for up to 10 patients at once.

The paramedics assessed a total of 17 patients, five of which were treated for serious injuries and transported to hospital including two elderly women who had to be extricated from an SUV after it had rolled over. The rest were of the patients were treated at the scene and released.

Even with flashing emergency lights, flares and bright reflective clothing visible for over 800 meters, a number of approaching vehicles lost control on the ice and almost slid into the emergency workers because they did not reduce their speed given the icy conditions.

Ministry of Transport trucks eventually arrived on the scene and quickly salted the highway in both directions effectively halting the risk of any further collisions.

Return to top

Return to Front Page