Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Manitoulin Yacht Explosion

(Little Current, Ont.) – On Tuesday 26 July 05 at 10:30 am a major yacht explosion occurred at Spider Bay Marina located in Little Current causing major damage to vessels docked in the area.

Manitoulin OPP officers were called to the scene after a large explosion occurred on a 36-foot Carver yacht that was docked at slip number 2 at the Spider Bay Marina. A large fire resulted that destroyed this vessel plus an adjacent 42 Foot Silverton yacht. Approximately a dozen other vessels docked close by experienced smoke and heat damage.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation however there was work being done on the engine of the 36-foot Carver yacht. Luckily there were no injuries in this explosion.

The North East Manitoulin and Island Fire Department along with the Sucker Creek First Nation Fire Dept. responded quickly and extinguished the fire, which is credited in saving further vessels from damage.

The marina was evacuated and an emergency evacuation center was set up at the Little Current Complex, which housed the owners of the vessels.

The Ministry of the Environment was called to scene along with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, which will be conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.

OPP investigate homicide - Sandy Lake First Nation

KENORA, ON, July 26 - Officers from the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (Naps) and OPP Thunder Bay RHQ and Kenora Detachment are continuing their investigation into a homicide that occurred in the early morning hours on July 24, 2005 in the Sandy Lake First Nation.

On Sunday July 24, 2005 at approximately 3:50 a.m. officers from the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service responded to a stabbing in the community.

Upon their arrival they discovered Jordan Ballantyne, 25, stabbed outside a residence.

He was transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre where he succumbed to his injury.

A post mortem examination was conducted today and the cause of death was a result of being stabbed.

The investigation is continuing under the direction of Detective Inspector John Horne of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.

Blueberry Picker Injured in Fall

(Blind River, Ont.) On July 22nd, 2005 the East Algoma OPP received information concerning an injured female adult whom had fallen while blueberry picking in the Emerald Lake area. The victim was reported to have been suffering from a head injury.

Police contacted the Ministry of Health to access air ambulance services to assist. Given the remote location of the incident there was no known landing site at or near the accident scene. Police contacted a local aviation company to gain access with a float plane but none were available.

A private floatplane owner volunteered his assistance. Ambulance personnel attended the nearest boat landing and were transported by water to the accident site. Local cottage owners volunteered the use of an Argo and used a barge type boat to travel to the closest access point.

First Aid treatment was provided to the victim and she was transported by the floatplane to the land ambulance. A local physician attended the scene and provided treatment to the victim while enroute to the Blind River Hospital.

The victim was later moved from the Blind River Hospital to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto for treatment.

Attempted Break In Investigation

Sault Ste. Marie O.P.P. Detachment officers are investigating what appears to be an attempt break and enter on Havilland Shores Drive, north of the city. The owner returned to the residence after a two-night absence to discover that the glass in the patio door had been shattered. It does not appear that the suspect(s) gained entry to the building. Officers are following up on this incident with an eye to nab the culprit(s).

OPP TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Starting today and continuing until the end of this year you will see some very large trucks travelling through the North East Region of Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police Officers, as well as, Company Escort vehicles will be escorting these large loads on the following routes in this part of the Province:

- Highway 101 westbound to Highway 17 at Wawa and then westbound on Highway 17 to Thunder Bay.

- Highway 11 northbound from Novar to Highway 101 at Matheson

The escorts will occur each week (Monday-Friday) and only during daylight hours.

The number of escorts per week will vary.

The loads will range from 49.95 to 54.55 metres long, 4.6 metres wide and 4.74 to 4.77 metres high.

The loads will consist of GE Base Towers for windmill sites.

You may experience traffic delays but please be patience and provide the right-of-way to these trucks.