401 collision with fire truck had positive outcome

Photo by Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM, LJI

By Cecilia Nasmith

Northumberland County

Monday's incident that saw a fire truck hit by a transport resulted in only one minor injury and no impact on fire service

Cobourg Fire Chief Ellard Beaven reported a positive outcome to a Monday-night incident that saw a fire truck hit on Highway 401 in the Township of Hamilton.

“The truck that was struck by a transport was scheduled for replacement next week, so our level of service will not be affected,” he told Wednesday's meeting of council's Community Services, Protection and Economic Development Standing Committee.

“I would like to thank everyone that reached out, including council and directors and staff, who reached out and touched base,” Beaven added.

“We were extremely lucky no one suffered any serious injury – only one minor injury, a firefighter.”

The chief thanked the OPP for their investigation, which resulted in the location of the driver of the transport – who had fled the scene at the Big Apple in Colborne.

“He is charged with six different charges, so he will be receiving a significant fine for leaving the scene.”

“I know all our thoughts and prayers were with the firefighter that got injured,” committee chair Adam Bureau said.

Beaven also gave year-end statistics, noting that the 2,071 calls for service received in 2024 represented an 8% increase over 2023.

Up to Sept. 3, he said they'd had 74 calls to the Brookside encampment.

Otherwise, the calls included 47 property fires, 45 pre-fire conditions (such as a pot left on a stove), 250 false alarms, 101 rescues and 1,236 medical responses.

As well, fire-prevention teams inspected 254 residences.