Ottawa

Tow truck operator struck, critically hurt on Highway 417 eastbound

A tow truck operator responding to a two-vehicle crash suffered critical injuries after being struck by a third vehicle on Highway 417 late Wednesday afternoon.

2 eastbound lanes of highway closed near crash scene

Tow truck driver struck, critically hurt

9 years ago
Duration 1:30
A tow truck driver was struck on Hwy. 17 as he tried to take a vehicle off the road.

A tow truck operator responding to a two-vehicle crash suffered critical injuries after being struck by a third vehicle on Highway 417 late Wednesday afternoon.

It happened on the highway's eastbound lanes near Palladium Drive at about 4:45 p.m.

The Jonny's Towing tow truck driver was responding to a minor collision involving two vehicles when he was struck, according to Ontario Provincial Police.

The vehicle that struck the tow truck operator then crashed into one of the two vehicles involved in the first minor crash. 

Two people in the car that struck the tow truck operator were taken to hospital with minor injuries, as well as a person in the vehicle that was struck, paramedics said.

The tow truck driver was taken to hospital in critical condition with severe multi-system trauma.

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating.

Two eastbound lanes of the highway are closed near the crash scene.