Napanee fire department were twice this weekend involved in two separate 401 highway crashes which left one woman dead and twelve others injured.
Originally five firefighters were injured in a crash Saturday night near London, Ontario, while on their way back from a competition in Windsor.
Family members had traveled to visit them in hospital, and were all returning home on a bus chartered from Kingston-based McCoy Bus Service Sunday morning when they were involved in another crash.
Four of the people injured in the second crash had been injured in the accident Saturday night as well.
One woman died in the most recent bus crash near Woodstock, Ontario – close to where highways 401 and 403 intersect – while 12 others on board experienced non life-threatening injuries.
The Napanee Fire Department is not yet releasing the identity of the deceased woman until her family is notified.
Ontario Provincial police said the 12 injured people were taken to hospital by ground and air ambulances, and part of Hwy 401 near 403 was closed while police investigate the accident.
There are unconfirmed reports that the bus became airborne immediately following the crash and occurred during heavy rainfall.
McCoy Bus Service spokesman Shawn Geary issued a statement saying “At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers on the bus and with the family of the person who was lost.”
Geary said the company is cooperating with police and will not make further comment until the investigation is complete.
UPDATE: The victim who died as a result of the crash has been identified as 49-year-old Darlene Goodfellow, a mother of three. Her Firefighter husband David Goodfellow remains in hospital with head injuries.
Google Street & Map view of the area, facing the approximate site of the crash. The bus came to rest over the right side concrete barrier of the East bound lane. (view can be rotated with your mouse)
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Street View of Scene via Google Street View
Photo via social media source
