Friday, September 2, 2005

Fatal Accident on Highway 17 North

Sault Ste. Marie O.P.P. are investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred at approximately 10:30 last night, on Highway 17 North, at Batchewana. Batchewana is located approximately 60 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie.

A southbound Dodge Caravan, carrying a family of six, from Manitoba, was slowing to make a left turn into the Voyageur Restaurant. A following transport truck pulled out to overtake the van. The van turned left into the path of the transport and was struck. A fire ensued. The Batchewana Volunteer Fire Department and Goulais Fire and Rescue attended the scene and extinguished the fire. Persons at the scene assisted with removing some of the injured from the van and were instrumental in saving lives. Two of the rescuers were treated at Sault Area Hospital for burns and one for lacerations.

A thirteen-year-old female passenger in the van was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner Dr. A. Balogh. The other injured parties were transported to hospital in Sault Ste. Marie. The seventeen-year-old driver has been transported to St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto suffering from a broken pelvis and internal bleeding. A seven-year-old male passenger has been taken to Sick Children’s Hospital in critical condition. The other injured parties are being treated in Sault Ste. Marie. A five-year-old female passenger in the van was not injured.

The driver of the transport truck was treated and released at Sault Area Hospital. The passenger in the truck was not injured.

Highway 17 remained closed from approximately 10:30 last night and reopened to one lane at 7:00 A.M. today. The highway was fully opened at 8:30 A.M.

The investigation is ongoing and the names of those involved will be released following notification of next of kin.