Sunday, January 12, 2003

HIGHWAY 17 NORTH CLOSED
Sault Ste. Marie

Be advised that Highway 17 North of Sault Ste. Marie has been closed as of 8:30 p.m. today by the O.P.P. from Batchwana Bay (70km north of the Sault) to 4km south of Wawa due to weather conditions.

To check on local highway conditions on SooToday.com, click on "Road Reports" at the top right of the "News and Weather" page. For phone service, call the MOT hotline at 945-5924. Please do not call the O.P.P. for road conditions.

This report was last updated at 10:00p.m.


OPP OFFICER INJURED - HIGHWAY 17 REOPENED
Sudbury, Ont.

Officers from the Sudbury detachment of the O.P.P. are currently investigating two separate accidents that occurred yesterday on Highway 17, west of the Long Lake Road intersection.

The first collision, at 6:00 p.m., involved two vehicles and blocked the highway. Both drivers suffered minor injuries and were transported to hospital in Sudbury. At 8:20 p.m., a second collision occurred while officers were still at the scene investigating the first accident. A female O.P.P. officer, who was outside of her cruiser assisting at the scene, was struck by a westbound vehicle.

She has been taken to hospital in Sudbury with serious injuries. Her name is being withheld until her family is notified.

Highway 17 was reopened at 9:00 this morning. The injured officer is in stable condition and is improving rapidly.