Sunday, March 14, 2004

HIGHWAY CLOSED AT BATCHAWANA
Highway 17 North of Sault Ste. Marie has been closed at Batchawana due to severe weather conditions.

A tractor-trailer hauling cattle partially closed the highway when it slid into the ditch at Mica Bay earlier this morning.

Police now have several other trucks stuck on the Mica Bay hill in snow and blowing snow.

As of 8:30 a.m., The highway has been completely closed until further notice



ACCIDENT ON 17 NORTH
Mica Bay

O.P.P. officers are, as of this 6:30am report, on their way to a transport accident on the Mica Bay hill, south of Montreal River. Early reports indicate the transport slid into the ditch in poor weather conditions and is blocking nearly the whole highway although traffic is getting through with some delay.

The truck was transporting cattle. Police estimate that the highway will be completely closed at some point this morning while the truck and cargo are moved. There were no injuries although police expect to find a lot of stressed-out cows when they arrive on site.

Environment Canada says the weather in the area at 6:30am is poor with blowing snow and travel is not recommended in any case.