INNISFAIL – Local firefighters and police were called this week to respond to a pair of series motor vehicle crashes outside of town, including one that victimized a sleeping truck driver resting at the top of Antler Hill.
At about 8 a.m. on Aug. 25, Innisfail firefighters responded to a two-vehicle crash along the southbound lanes of Highway 2 at the top of Antler Hill. Innisfail fire chief Gary Leith said a motor vehicle, believed to be a Honda Accord, struck the rear of a semi truck that had parked for the driver to rest and sleep.
“The truck driver was sleeping in his cabin,” said Leith. “The vehicle for unknown reasons collided with the rear of the trailer, causing severe damage.”
He said the male driver of the motor vehicle was injured and transported by EMS to local hospital. Leith said it was unknown at this time the severity of the man’s injuries. The truck driver was not injured.
He said firefighters remained at the scene for the next two hours to clean up crash debris covering three lanes of the highway. Leith said two southbound lanes were closed during the subsequent collision probe and cleanup.
“Southbound was pinched to one lane,” said Leith, adding road conditions were good at the time of the crash.
RCMP attended the scene. The crash is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, Innisfail firefighters also responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash the day before at about 10:30 a.m. on the Cottonwood Road (Twp. Rd. 352) near Gleniffer Lake.
Leith said firefighters were called to extricate a trapped driver, who had been travelling westbound before the rollover. The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
