Woman killed in Hwy. 400 crash in Barrie

Police are investigating a fiery single-vehicle crash in Barrie that claimed a woman’s life on Wednesday morning.

The collision happened around 1:30 a.m. when the 43-year-old woman’s Jeep hit the Dunlop Street bridge abutment on the northbound side of the highway, OPP Sgt. Dave Woodford said.

The vehicle then burst into flames. Passersby pulled the woman away from her burning Jeep. The victim was pronounced dead in a Barrie hospital.

Tow truck driver Samuel Robinson said the woman’s vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when he pulled up.

“There was a lady who was partially ejected from her vehicle and there was a bunch of people around and a few people grabbed her by her arms and legs and dragged her over to the guardrail,” he said.

“Everybody knew what they had to do and they did it.”

Robinson said he’s seen a lot on the roads at night but “this is by far the worst I’ve ever seen and I’ve had 15 years in this business.”

Woodford praised the efforts of the motorists who stopped to help the woman.

“Going into any fire where gasoline could be involved and explosions … to pull someone out is very heroic ,” he said.

It took police several hours to identify the type of vehicle involved in the crash, due to the heavy fire damage.

The Good Samaritans were also treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.

Police said there is no “criminal element” in their investigation.

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