Close X
Sunday, November 17, 2024
ADVT 
National

Police Report Fourth Death In Fiery Highway Crash North Of Montreal On Monday

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Aug, 2019 08:05 PM
  • Police Report Fourth Death In Fiery Highway Crash North Of Montreal On Monday

MONTREAL - Quebec provincial police added a fourth person to the list of victims as they worked to establish what triggered a deadly highway pileup north of Montreal on Monday afternoon.

 

The investigation of the crash that also left 15 people injured — including three severely hurt — was ongoing on Tuesday as Highway 440, in Laval, Que., reopened to traffic at about 5 a.m.

 

It happened on a busy stretch of highway that runs east-west through Laval, the province's third largest city.

 

Two tractor trailers and several cars were involved in collisions at the exit leading to the interchange for Highway 15, which runs north to the Laurentians and south to Montreal.

 

Police say at least one of the trucks hit a passenger vehicle, setting off a chain reaction. A thick cloud of black smoke could be seen billowing in the air.

 

Provincial police asked anyone who may have witnessed the moments preceding the crash at around 3:30 p.m. Monday to come forward.

 

Police said all four victims died at the scene, but identifying them could take time.

 

"The victims aren't easily identifiable," said Sgt. Daniel Thibodeau. "There's also the vehicle identification numbers, but some of the burned vehicles are too damaged to make out those identification numbers."

 

Investigators also hope to speak to survivors of the incident once their health allows it.

 

Quebec Transport Minister Francois Bonnardel promised immediate action Tuesday, even though little is known about the cause of the crash.

 

Bonnardel said that since 2013, there have been about 10 accidents at the interchange, including one other fatality. The transport minister said that in the short term, safety in the area will be improved by extending the portion that forbids drivers from merging at the last minute to exit the highway and access the service road.

 

"We will do it to change the behaviour of drivers, to stop them from entering at the last minute," Bonnardel said, noting that roughly 300,000 vehicles use Highways 440 and 15 daily.

 

In the longer term, Bonnardel said an assessment will be done across the province to identify spots where similar measures are needed.

 

The minister noted that a lot of interchanges in Quebec — many of which are just as heavily travelled — have configurations that are 40 to 50 years old.

 

Bonnardel offered his condolences and praised the work of first responders who helped at the scene during a visit to the area on Tuesday alongside Finance Minister Eric Girard, who is also the minister responsible for the Laval region, and Laval Mayor Marc Demers.

MORE National ARTICLES

Professor Files Ethics Complaint Against Quebec City Police For Chuck Norris Photo During G7 Summit

MONTREAL — Quebec City police are being accused of threatening G7 summit protesters with a photo of movie star and internet sensation Chuck Norris.

Professor Files Ethics Complaint Against Quebec City Police For Chuck Norris Photo During G7 Summit

Trudeau Acknowledges 'Erosion Of Trust' Between Office And Former Minister

"I was not aware of that erosion of trust. As prime minister and leader of the federal ministry, I should have been."

Trudeau Acknowledges 'Erosion Of Trust' Between Office And Former Minister

Calgary Zoo Attempt To Breed Giant Pandas From China By Artificial Insemination

Calgary Zoo Attempt To Breed Giant Pandas From China By Artificial Insemination
CALGARY — The Calgary Zoo is hoping to hear the pitter patter of little pandas.

Calgary Zoo Attempt To Breed Giant Pandas From China By Artificial Insemination

Century-Old Blackfoot Headdress Found In Thrift Store Returned To First Nation

CALGARY — A more than century-old Blackfoot headdress that was dropped in a thrift store bin has been returned to a First Nation east of Calgary.

Century-Old Blackfoot Headdress Found In Thrift Store Returned To First Nation

NDP Says Proposed Saskatchewan Trespass Law Changes Are Divisive

NDP Says Proposed Saskatchewan Trespass Law Changes Are Divisive
REGINA — An Opposition member is accusing the Saskatchewan government of playing wedge politics and excluding Indigenous voices with its proposed changes to the province's trespass laws.    

NDP Says Proposed Saskatchewan Trespass Law Changes Are Divisive

'Jeopardy' Host Alex Trebek Announces He Has Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: 'I'm Going To Fight This'

Canadian "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek announced he's been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in a YouTube video on Wednesday that had a positive tone despite the grim prognosis.

'Jeopardy' Host Alex Trebek Announces He Has Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: 'I'm Going To Fight This'