KANATA – An evening collision last night (Nov. 2) with a hydro pole sent Ottawa firefighters to the border of West Carleton to free a motorist.

Kanata firefighters from Station 42 were first on scene to lead emergency workers in freeing the trapped driver.

“Firefighters were notified of an accident involving a single vehicle that hit a hydro pole and the driver was trapped,” Ottawa Fire Service (OFS) public information officer Carson Tharris released in a statement around 9:30 p.m. last night. “A high-tension hydro line attached to the hydro pole that had been significantly damaged on impact was a major concern as firefighters quickly worked with specialized equipment to free the driver.”

Following the rescue, paramedics assumed patient care.

“If you are the first person at a motor vehicle incident, please approach the scene only if it is safe to do so,” Tharris said. “If you are involved in a collision and find yourself trapped. Call 911 if you are able to. Tell the Dispatcher that you are trapped in your vehicle. Answer their questions as best as you can and follow their instructions.”

Multi-vehicle collision snares Highway 416

RIDEAU-GOULBOURN – Just a bit earlier that same evening, the OFS, Ottawa Paramedic Service and Ottawa Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a collision involving 10 vehicles on Highway 16 northbound near the Rideau River Bridge.

“On Nov. 2, at approximately 7:15 p.m., officers with the Ottawa Detachment of the OPP responded to a collision on Highway 416 northbound on the Rideau River Bridge,” OPP media relations officer Dany Viel released in a statement last night (Nov. 2). “This initial collision caused a chain reaction collision involving seven vehicles.”

Temperatures were near the freezing mark at the time.  

A 24-year-old male driver involved in the collision got out of his vehicle and was subsequently struck by another vehicle. 

“The male suffered serious injuries and remains in critical condition at the Ottawa Hospital,” Viel said. “There were no other injuries reported. Technical Collision Investigators attended the scene to assist with determining the cause of the collisions.”

The northbound lanes of Highway 416 were closed for several hours.

Firefighters were notified at approximately 7:25 p.m. an accident had occurred on the bridge spanning the Rideau River.

“On route, updated information was that this was a multi-vehicle accident with multiple injuries some of which were reported serious,” Tharris said. “On arrival, firefighters from the OFS and the North Grenville Fire Department worked with the OPP and paramedics at the expansive Collison scene. There were at least 10 vehicles involved.”