3 people escape fiery crash on QEW in Burlington

Three people escaped without serious injuries after their vehicle was involved in a fiery collision on the QEW in Burlington on Monday.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says a transport truck and a car collided on the Fort Erie-bound QEW approaching the Burlington Skyway shortly before 2 p.m.

Both vehicles were travelling in the Toronto-bound lanes when the truck struck the car, causing it to mount the guardrail and land on the Fort Erie-bound side of the highway.

The car burst into flames, but the three occupants were not seriously injured. Schmidt says the occupants escaped the vehicle with the help of passersby.

Jeff Varcoe said he was driving to work when he saw the crash unfold in front of him.

“About six of us bystanders immediately ran to the car kicked in the sun roof to remove the trapped occupant. The occupant then starts screaming for their baby who was in the back seat … they kick in the back window and pull the toddler out safely, ” he wrote on Facebook.

Varcoe said he only started to film the video below once everyone was safely out of the car. It was at this time that the car erupted in flames. Warning: Offensive language in the video, viewer discretion is advised.

All lanes of the Fort Erie-bound QEW were closed from Northshore Boulevard to the Eastport Drive exit as crews worked to remove a hydro pole that was struck during the collision and leaned dangerously over the highway. The lanes were reopened around 6:30 p.m.

Only one lane of the Toronto-bound QEW is open as crews finish cleaning up the scene.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area and expect secondary roads to be backed up as well.

The crash caused “massive problems” as it followed another collision that led to road closures in the area.

That incident saw a police chase on the QEW that ended with an ATV crashing into an OPP cruiser near Eastport Drive.

Eastport was closed in both directions at the lift bridge but has since reopened.