Hwy. 17 closed after crash involving fuel truck in Petawawa, driver airlifted

Highway 17 after a serious crash in Petawawa between a pickup and a transport truck carrying fuel. (OPP/Provided)

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have closed part of Highway 17 following a serious crash in Petawawa Wednesday morning.

Police say officers responded to the crash at approximately 9:30 a.m. involving a pickup and a transport truck with two tanker-trailers carrying fuel.

The crash has resulted in the full closure of the highway between Paquette Road and Brindle Road.

“The OPP is advising the public to avoid the area if possible or please follow the detour from Highway 17 to Messer Trail, then Paquette Road back to Highway 17,” the OPP said in a news release.

One of the tanker trailers is leaking because of the crash, police say, requiring a specialized environmental clean up team to respond.

The driver of the pickup was airlifted to a regional trauma centre with serious injuries, police say.

Officers remain on scene Wednesday afternoon as crews from the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Environment work to assist in the cleanup.

“There is currently no estimated time of reopening,” police say.

An investigation is underway.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the incident is asked to contact the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.valleytips.ca.