Highway 6 near swing bridge reopens following collision

A collision between a passenger vehicle and a transport truck closed Highway 6 near Manitoulin Island for several hours Monday.

Highway 6 has reopened following a serious collision between a transport truck and a passenger vehicle.

One driver sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash.

Ontario Provincial Police responded to the crash near Goat Island Road in Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands Township at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Monday.

The highway was closed between the Little Current Swing Bridge and Sunshine Valley Road near Birch Island. It reopened Tuesday morning around 12:30.

“One driver has sustained serious, life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital by ambulance,” said OPP Const. Berkley Parisien in an interview with CTV News Monday evening.

Early Tuesday morning, Parisien said the driver’s condition had been updated to serious but non-life-threatening.

The fire department also assisted at the scene.

Investigation could take hours

OPP confirmed only two drivers were involved – the drivers of the vehicle and the truck – though bystanders stopped to help.

“We want to thank those people for stopping,” said Parisien.

If the injured driver’s condition remains critical, traffic reconstructionists may be called in, extending the closure.

“That can take… several hours because they have to travel, sometimes from Sudbury, sometimes from Sault Ste. Marie,” Parisien said.

Authorities urge patience

Parisien noted a recent increase in crashes on Highway 6 and Highway 17, attributing many to distracted or impatient driving.

“A lot of the common things that we see … are impatient drivers making dangerous decisions and people not paying attention,” she said, citing texting, other distractions and impaired driving as recurring issues.

With summer traffic intensifying, Parisien urged caution.

“The bridge is kind of backing things up… We see a lot of impatient drivers making dangerous decisions.”

Check 511 for updates

OPP officials have advised motorists to avoid the area and monitor the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Traveller Information website (Ontario.ca/511) or OPP social media feeds for updates.

“Avoid calling 911 about (road closures),” said Parisien. “That just clogs up the phone lines and can make it harder for actual emergencies to get through.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Amanda Hicks