Tractor trailer falls off Highway 401, bursts into flames on train tracks

Highway 401 was briefly closed in both directions through the Kingston area at around 11:50 p.m. on the night of Friday, Aug. 26, 2022 after a tractor trailer went off the roadway, down a bridge embankment and burst into flames on the train tracks below.

Ontario Provincial Police closed the highway between Montreal St and Highway 15 as they, along with Kingston Fire & Rescue and Frontenac Paramedics, responded to the collision and subsequent fire.

The driver, who was stuck inside the rig following the collision, was extricated from the crash scene by firefighters, treated for injuries by paramedics and taken to hospital for further treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Having determined there was no serious damage to the roadway, OPP reopened the highway shortly thereafter.

CN Rail, meanwhile, closed both southbound and northbound tracks for several hours as they conducted repairs, and a 30mph restriction was placed on track travel for several more hours after the tracks reopened. That restriction has since been lifted.