Monday, October 21, 2002

FATAL ACCIDENT AT GOULAIS
A fatal collision has occurred on Highway #17, 20km north of Sault Ste. Marie. Dead is April Hopkin, age 21, of Goulais River. Mrs. Hopkin was the first responder of the Goulais Volunteer Fire Department to an accident on Highway 17 near Highway 552.

Mrs. Hopkin was driving her personal vehicle when she came into collision with a southbound SUV operated by Robert Longstreet, age 70, of Haviland Shores Drive. Mr. Longstreet is in critical condition in the Intensive Care Ward this morning and his wife remains in the Surgical Ward at the Sault Area Hospitals.

The roadway at the time of the accident, 10:10 yesterday morning, was slushy and that is considered to be a factor in the accident.

Members of the Goulais Volunteer Fire Department were on the scene and were required to perform extrication duties to free Mr. Longstreet. The O.P.P. says that the Goulais Volunteer Fire Department performed their duties admirably under very trying circumstances given the loss of one of their own.