Thursday, December 15, 2005

Too Many Close Calls - School Bus Collisions

(Northeastern Ontario) The Ontario Provincial Police remind drivers to stay alert when behind the wheel and pay attention to other vehicles that share the roadway. Over the last two weeks there have been four motor vehicle collisions involving school buses. The most serious crash happened near Thessalon when a mini-bus was forced off the road and down an embankment by an oncoming tractor-trailer. Two slow-speed, rear-end collisions occurred in North Bay detachment area and in South Porcupine, a lost trailer wheel assembly from a passing truck smashed into an empty school bus. Fortunately, there were no injuries to the children or drivers, however, the outcome of all those close calls could have been much worse.

Blowing snow, clouds of frozen exhaust fumes, slippery intersections and traffic congestion make winter driving a challenge. School bus drivers and their child passengers need everyone to watch out for the red flashing lights - a warning to drivers that children are getting on or off the school bus.

“Road safety is an OPP priority and officers are committed to strict enforcement of the school bus traffic laws, explains Inspector Andrews, Unit Commander - North East Region Traffic And Marine. Stiff penalties may be a deterrent, but the thought of causing death or injury to a child should make drivers pay attention.”

Slow down and adjust driving to suit the conditions. There’s a lot at stake when you are behind the wheel.

A CLARIFICATION ON THE IDENTITY OF WOMAN INJURED IN GARDEN RIVER

Garden River First Nation, Ont., Earlier this morning Sault Ste Marie OPP has identified one of the injured women in last nights Garden River crash as Carol Jones of Gemah Street in Garden River. The full name of the victim is Carol Beatrice Jones of Gemah Street in Garden River.

It has been brought to the attention of the Sault OPP that there are two Carol Jones’ who reside in Garden River. Carol Irene Jones is being inundated with phone calls asking her family about her condition. Anything you can do to avoid any further confusion with these two women would be appreciated.

GARDEN RIVER CRASH VICTIM FLOWN TO TORONTO HOSPITAL

Garden River First Nation Territory, Ont.,

Sault Ste Marie OPP are continuing their investigation into a serious collision on Hwy 17 at Hiawatha Drive in the Garden River First Nation last night.

Preliminary investigation is revealing that at about 9:15 p.m. last night, a car was entering Hwy 17 from Hiawatha Drive and was struck by a westbound transport truck. The driver of the car was ejected from the vehicle. Police and rescue personnel found the driver under the car on the highway. It is believed that the driver has two broken legs, two broken arms, a broken neck and internal injuries. The driver has been identified as 48 year old Carol JONES of Gemah Street, Garden River First Nation. Ms Jones has been flown to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

The City of Sault Ste Marie Fire Service was called to the scene to assist the Garden River Fire Department in extracting the passenger of the car. The passenger, 49 year old Elaine JACKO, of Ross Street in Sault Ste Marie is in Intensive Care Unit of Sault and Area Hospital with internal injuries.

The driver of the transport was shaken up but not injured in the crash. This collision remains under investigation.

Hwy 17 was closed in both directions until just after 2:00 a.m. this morning.


BOTH LANES OF HWY 17 IN GARDEN RIVER ARE OPEN

Garden River First Nation Territory, Ont., Sault Ste Marie OPP are advising the public that both lanes of Hwy 17 on the Garden River First Nation Territory are now open to traffic.

Investigators from the Forensic Identification Unit, Technical Traffic Collision Investigation Team and the Sault Ste Marie Detachment area still on the scene.

Temporary lane restrictions may be necessary as the wreckage is removed from the scene. Motorists are asked to exercise caution when traveling in the area of Hwy 17 and Hiawatha Drive in Garden River.


Serious Collision Closes HWY 17

Garden River First Nation, Ont., Sault Ste Marie OPP are on the scene of a serious collision on Hwy 17 in the Garden River First Nation just east of Sault Ste Marie.

Preliminary reports from the scene indicate that a car and a transport have been involved in the collision. Two people from the car have been taken to Sault and Area Hospital with life threatening injuries.

Hwy 17 is now closed for an unknown period of time in both directions. There are no detours around the collision site.