By John Law, Niagara Falls Review
Tuesday, January 22
An OPP officer cruising a dark, icy Schisler Road may have saved the lives of four people Monday night.
Recently promoted Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Daniel Briggs was patrolling the winding road on the outskirts of Niagara Falls around 7:30 p.m. when he saw a car “fully engulfed” in a wooded area just off the roadway. He quickly radioed for help then joined passengers of a bus which had also pulled over to try and help.
One person had wedged himself free of the blazing 2000 Ford Taurus, but three others were still trapped inside.
“I tried to use a fire extinguisher to little or no avail,” he said.
Ambulance, police and fire crews descended on the scene and got the occupants to safety before the fire got worse. All four occupants, from Welland, taken to hospital. The most seriously injured, a male, was taken to Erie County Medical Center.
“He had a badly mangled leg,” said OPP Niagara Detachment Staff Sgt. Jan Idzenga, who says the scene could have been much worse had Briggs not been returning from a call at the East Main Tunnel in Welland. At first, the glow in the south side ditch looked like “brush fire,” but got more horrifying as he got closer.
“He realized there was a car down there, and a bunch of people screaming.”
Briggs joined the force on Oct. 16.
“If this is any indication he’s going to be a very good officer,” said Idzenga. “We’re happy to have him.”
No charges have been laid in the incident, which is still under investigation. Any witnesses are asked to phone Niagara Regional Police detectives at 905-688-4111, ext. 5500.
