Staff
If residents noticed an increase in trucks passing through town yesterday, it was because Highway 17 between Kenora and Vermilion Bay had to be closed for several hours due to an accident that killed a Geraldton couple.
Kenora OPP said in a press release this morning that police were called to a collision involving a tractor-trailer unit and passenger vehicle around 1:45 p.m.
Police said the accident occurred about 1.5 km east of Willard Lake Esso when the westbound tractor-trailer unit came around a corner to find an eastbound passenger vehicle in the westbound lane.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was unable to avoid colliding with the vehicle, police noted.
Raymond Buhr, 64, and Joann Buhr, 62, of Geraldton were fatally injured, police said.
As a result of the accident, traffic was re-routed along Highway 11 via Highway 71 and Highway 502.
Members of the OPP’s Technical Traffic Collision Investigation Unit were called to assist with the investigation.
Kenora Fire and Rescue also was on scene to assist with clearing the highway.
Police said the Trans-Canada was reopened about four hours later after debris had been removed.
