NORTH BAY — OPP have confirmed that one person is dead after a fiery traffic accident this morning between Marten River and Temagami on Highway 11.
See: Transports collide near Marten river, Highway 11 north closed
"Preliminary investigation has determined that two transport trucks collided resulting in a fire. Numerous local fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have been called in to assist with the investigation. One person has been confirmed dead," says an OPP news release.
Highway 11 is currently closed between Temagami and North Bay and is expected to remain closed for an extensive amount of time. Highway 64 is also closed at Pike Lake Road.
A southbound detour for Highway 11 is available by turning onto Highway 65 in New Liskeard, then proceeding through Highway 101 in Quebec.
Cody Nojonen, a transport driver from Timmins told BayToday reporter Chris Dawson that he was flashed by headlights from an oncoming truck driver to warn of the crash.
"We didn't know what was going on. So I walked up and seen a huge truck fire with a couple of trucks involved. I knew it was a diesel tanker. There were a bunch of us asking what number was on the side of it and it turned out to be 02 which is diesel instead of regular fuel.
"It could have been anybody. We stopped for fuel in North Bay and that could have been us if we hadn't stopped for fuel. Now I'm trying to figure out how to get home to Timmins."
The investigation is continuing and further details will be released as they become available.
Meanwhile, all Highway 11 North school buses will only be going as far as Parkwood Villa (5887 Hwy 11 N) due to the accident.