Transport truck crashes into river off Hwy 401
AYR, Ont. — A transport truck travelling on the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 has crashed into a guardrail and driven off the highway, landing fully submerged in the Nith River, according to a report from CTV News.
The single-vehicle crash occurred shortly before noon today in Oxford County, just west of Ayr. According to CTV News’ report, the cab of the truck could not be seen from above water by 1 p.m.
Water and ice rescue crews from Woodstock were dispatched to the scene of the crash, which OPP say has turned from a rescue mission into a recovery mission.
Officials say an air ambulance was dispatched to the scene, but left without a patient with no plans to return.
Eastbound lanes of the 401 are closed in the area and westbound lanes are open but with slow traffic, CTV reported.
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For the past 2 weeks, construction and a back hoe has been beside the road right at this spot, slowing traffic and causing rubber necking, the trucker may have had his attention diverted by this, or another driver caused him to have to swerve, bad place to loose control, deep hills, and the river, other than the nith and the next bridge at the grand, no other real deep hills like this for a long way either way, it is sad people died, my thoughts go out to their families, I hope who ever is doing the slow work around there gets out, and keeps the flow going, these distractions can cost lives, I see a lot of guys in fancy trucks and gear, doing a lot of standing and talking as they close lanes to do, who knows what and why , and beef up the guard rails, it may help prevent a break over.