The motive force of a car concerned in a significant collision with a tanker truck on the QEW west of St. Catharines Friday morning is being sought by police after the crash brought on a bit of the freeway to shut for many of the day.
The Niagara-bound QEW was reopened simply earlier than 4 p.m. following the collision which noticed a gas truck leak hundreds of litres of hazardous cargo right into a ditch.
The freeway was utterly closed in each instructions for greater than two hours, however the Toronto-bound lanes reopened at round 10:20 a.m.
Sgt. Kerry Schmidt mentioned three automobiles had been concerned within the 8 a.m. collision. The motive force of a black Mercedes-Benz sedan was reportedly driving aggressively and reduce off a passenger car, which ended up going right into a tractor-trailer loaded with gas and diesel.
“These two automobiles received snarled and ended up going into the ditch. The tanker, clearly loaded with harmful items, is leaking into the ditch proper now,” Schmidt mentioned.
Police mentioned the driving force of the Mercedes fled the scene.
The motive force of the tractor-trailer was extricated from his car by first responders and was taken to hospital. The extent of his accidents was not instantly clear, however he’s anticipated to outlive, OPP mentioned.
The motive force of the passenger van managed to get out of his car on his personal. He was “very shaken up” however not severely injured, Schmidt mentioned.
HIGHWAY WILL BE CLOSED AGAIN SATURDAY FOR CLEANUP
Schmidt mentioned the freeway might be absolutely closed once more within the space on Saturday morning as crews clear up the messy spill of harmful materials.
“Because of the hazards of potential spark and static electricity, we can’t have traffic within 100 metres and unfortunately it’s right next to the highway,” Schmidt mentioned.
Firefighters are pictured working on the scene of a collision involving a gas truck on the QEW close to St. Catharines Friday, January 12, 2024. (Andrew Collins)
The Saturday morning closure might be in impact between Ontario Road in Beamsville, Ont. and Victoria Avenue in Vineland, Ont. from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Throughout that point, crews will drill holes into the gas container and take away the remainder of its contents with a vaccum.
Schmidt mentioned crews had been initially going to finish that work Friday night and hold the freeway closed, however determined to maneuver it to the weekend so motorists can get dwelling earlier than the incoming snowfall.
THOUSANDS OF LITRES OF FUEL SPILL
Photos from the scene confirmed proof of a violent collision, with wheels from the tractor-trailer ripped off and resting in a separate space from the trailer, which was additionally resting in a distinct spot from the cab.
Schmidt mentioned first responders had been coping with a “dramatic scene” after they arrived in addition to “an excessive explosive hazard” within the space, which has now been evacuated.
“The hearth division is on scene,” Schmidt mentioned. “They’ve evacuated native residents within the space and I count on it will proceed for the morning for a number of hours.”
Schmidt mentioned he estimates some 20,000 litres of gasoline and diesel spilled in whole, along with the water and foam used to forestall ignition of the gas. A further 20,000 litres is believed to stay contained in the tanker truck.
He mentioned Minsitry of Setting officers are on scene and assessing the scenario, including that crews are presently digging ditches and dikes to forestall circulation from the ditch into Lake Ontario, which is lower than kilometre away from the crash web site.
Firefighters are pictured working on the scene of a collision involving a gas truck on the QEW close to St. Catharines Friday, January 12, 2024. (Andrew Collins)
