A tractor trailer fire and two serious motor vehicle crashes closed a large section of the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 on Monday.
Danielle Marr – file photo
Ontario Provincial Police report that between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Chatham-Kent OPP responded to three separate motor vehicle investigations in the eastbound lanes.
The first was a tractor trailer that caught on fire, prompting the closure of all eastbound lanes in the Orford Road area.
It appears impatience is getting the best of some motorists waiting for crash to be cleared on 401 near Ridgetown. 5 vehicles have now gone wrong way on shoulder to leave scene. #ckont
— Ellwood Shreve (@DailyNewsES) March 4, 2019
One lane was reopened in this area around 2 p.m. to let traffic through, then OPP were called to a serious crash on Highway 401, east of Victoria Road, a short time later involving a passenger vehicle and a tractor trailer, which closed both lanes in the area.
No details were available on the severity of this crash, but another media outlet reported a helicopter was called to airlift someone to hospital.
Then another crash occurred between Kent Bridge Road and Victoria Road, resulting in both lanes being closed in this area.
Traffic came to a standstill for about three hours, before vehicles that were between Kent Bridge Road and Victoria Road crash could get off the highway at the Victoria Road exit.
A tweet from OPP around 9 p.m. stated the eastbound lanes of the highway remained closed between Kent Bridge Road and Victoria Road.
OPP said more information would be provided as it become available.
Source: Chatham Daily News