This is an "unofficial" account however the pictures say alot.... About 7:05 a.m. today, an eastbound tractor trailer unit attempted to pass a slow-moving farm tractor on Highway 101 near Burton Road in Matheson.
This is an "unofficial" account however the pictures say alot....
About 7:05 a.m. today, an eastbound tractor trailer unit attempted to pass a slow-moving farm tractor on Highway 101 near Burton Road in Matheson. The driver of the transport may have been blinded by the sun. In any event, the transport clipped the farm tractor, causing a fuel tank to rupture and explode. The tractor trailer went into the ditch on the north side of the highway. Both drivers escaped, the tractor and trailer unit was engulfed in flames, and according to a fire department officer on the scene, the cab "disintegrated" from the heat.
The farm tractor came to rest in an upright position on the south side of the highway. Apparently there were two operators in the cab of the tractor trailer, and one person operating the farm tractor. All were transported to Bingham Memorial Hospital without serious injury, but suffering from shock.
Fire department officials believe the trailer unit was carrying foodstuffs and poses no enviromental threat. Police and fire officials remain on the scene (10:25) a,m. and there is no definite indication as to what time the road will reopen. Detours to Timmins and to Highway 11 north are available through Matheson.
OPP INVESTIGATE TRAFFIC COLLISION
(MATHESON) – The Matheson Ontario Provincial Police is in the midst of completing its investigation into an early morning collision involving a tractor trailer unit and a farm tractor and trailer unit.
The operator of the farm tractor and trailer unit, a 17 year old male Matheson resident, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment.
The tractor trailer had one of its diesel tanks rupture and cause a fire which engulfed the entire unit.
Matheson Fire Department personnel were called to the scene but despite efforts to suppress the fire, the truck was too far gone to be salvaged.
Officials with the Ministry of the Environment have been called in to assess concerns stemming from the leaking diesel fuel.
At present the highway is open to one lane at the scene: Hwy 11 in Bowman Twp just west of Matheson between the town-site and Burton Road.
A detour had been set up earlier in the day to allow for traffic flows.
Traffic delays should be expected in the area for the next 3 hours.
Motorists who can use alternate routes to avoid this area are encouraged to do so.
