CAMBRIDGE, N.S. – The cab of a tractor-trailer crashed through a home along Hwy 1 in Cambridge shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Firefighters, paramedics, medical first responders and RCMP officers rushed to the scene along the 6,000 block of Hwy 1 after the crash was reported around 1:15 p.m. Oct. 24.
“The driver of the tractor-trailer was attempting to avoid a collision with another vehicle when he lost control, left the road, and struck the house. The tractor portion of the truck was entirely inside the home. No one was in the residence at the time of the collision,” says an RCMP media release issued two hours after the crash.
The driver was injured but the injuries are not considered life threatening, the RCMP statement says.
It was apparent at the scene that the truck’s cab – along with gear attaching it to its trailer – smashed through the side of the house and could not be seen from the road.
Kings District RCMP spokesperson Cst. Jeff Wilson confirmed this, and said all responders immediately began working to identify who was in the house, and how to get inside.
“Members are attempting to get into the house and get it cleared,” said Wilson at the scene.
Waterville and District Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene around 1:20 p.m., and deputy chief Wayne Pineo later confirmed they found the truck’s driver trapped inside the house.
He did not confirm where the driver was trapped but said several firefighters and EHS responders remained with the driver as others worked to determine how to safely remove him from the wreckage.
“And then we all were working on trying to figure out what to do next, and to get him out of there safely,” said Pineo.
The driver remained inside until 2:30 p.m., when he could be seen walking with assistance out of the main door of the house, covered with a blanket, as responders guided him onto a stretcher and began examining him.
After he was transported via ambulance to a LifeFlight helicopter, the truck remained stuck inside the house. At 3:15 p.m., Pineo confirmed police and firefighters were still working to determine exactly how to remove it from the house.
“When we were arrived on scene, things were as you see them now,” said Pineo.
“Things haven’t physically changed a whole lot since then.”
Traffic remained stalled on Highway 1 due to the incident, and remained slow moving and backed up to nearly Coldbrook at 3:30 p.m.
