The Bishop’s Falls fire chief calls it the worst accident scene he’s ever attended.
The Trans Canada Highway remains closed near Bishop’s Falls where two tractor trailers—both carrying heavy loads—collided head-on and burst into flame last night around 8:30. RCMP say the crash claimed the lives of the two drivers.
Traffic is being diverted through the town for the next few days as investigators continue their work at the scene.
Bishop’s Falls Fire Chief Gary Harnum says the two rigs were fully engulfed when they arrived on the scene.
The Bishop’s Falls Fire Department tackled the fire with the assistance of the Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department and managed to knock it down fairly quickly despite some challenges on the scene.
He says water had to be relayed to the scene because of its location on the highway.
The fire department was called back to the scene around 3:00 this morning to douse some rubber tires that were still smoldering. They left the scene around 7:00 this morning.
Harnum says his members are doing well given the circumstances and there are plenty of supports in place.
They had a get-together last night and another meeting is planned today for tomorrow while some members of their team are trained in trauma response.
Earlier Story
A horrific head-on crash involving two transport trucks forced the closure of the Trans Canada Highway in central Newfoundland last night.
The collision resulted in an extensive fire and forced a diversion of traffic around the scene through Bishop’s Falls while crews attended to the scene. RCMP confirm that traffic is still being diverted through the community this morning while officers continue to process the scene.
There is no immediate word on injuries.
Police are asking any witnesses to the collision to contact them.
RCMP NL confirm that the TCH, near Bishop’s Falls, (between route 21 & 22) remains closed this morning. #nltraffic being diverted through the Town of Bishop’s Falls. @590VOCM @VOCMNEWS
— Gerri Lynn Mackey (@GerriLynnMackey) June 23, 2022
