Flat tires strand 407 drivers

The westbound lanes of Highway 407 from Lower Baseline Rd. to the QEW were shut down for nearly eight hours yesterday after a truck dumped a trail of metal parts along a 40-kilometre stretch of highway, shredding the tires of dozens of cars.

Police closed the highway at 5: 15 a. m. and didn’t reopen it until 1 p. m. Some vehicles were stranded for hours with four flats. OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley advised people who travelled along the highway to check their tires in case some of the metal had become embedded in them.

“ This has taken a lot longer than expected,” Ontario Provincial Police Const. Julia McCuaig said just after 12: 30 p. m.

Apiece of magnetic equipment was brought in to scoop up the sharp pieces of metal remaining after snow plows and water cannons cleared some of the bigger chunks, McCuaig said.

Police believe the scrap was being carried by a tractor- trailer in the dark, early- morning hours when part of the load was dumped at about 4 a. m.

Police are asking for the public’s help to track down the truck that created the mess. They can call 905- 841- 5777 and ask for the 407 Traffic Unit.