MARATHON – A 36-year-old Toronto man is dead and a 24-year-old Kapuskasing woman suffered major injuries after a collision between an SUV and a tractor trailer at about 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday night on Highway 17 west of Marathon.
Ontario Provincial Police say the SUV was traveling eastbound near Angler’s Creek when it crossed the centre line and came into contact with a westbound transport.
The transport collided with a rock cut, while the SUV came to rest in the eastbound lane.
The female driver and male passengers had to be extracted from the transport, as well as the male driver of the SUV, had to be extracted by the Marathon Fire Department.
The SUV driver was transported to hospital and an attempt was made to take him to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre by an ORNGE helicopter, but he was pronounced dead by staff before it arrived.
The transport driver and her 38-year-old passenger from Hearst, Ont. were taken to hospital. The woman, who was later transported to Thunder Bay for treatment, is reported in stable condition. The passenger was released.
No names are being released pending notification of next-of-kin.
OPP say the highway has been fully closed for 12 hours, but they expect it to reopen to one lane shortly until the investigation is complete and the two vehicles are removed.
Police remind motorists to expect delays when traveling in the area and ask drivers to slow down until the removal and clean up are completed.
