3 hospitalized following crashes on washed out roads near Buchans

Officials with Central Health have confirmed that three people are being treated for injuries following accidents related to washed out roads in the region.

President and CEO Rosemarie Goodyear said the incidents occurred on the Buchans Highway early Tuesday morning, and the emergency response was complicated by the washouts.

• Accidents, road washouts, states of emergency continue across Newfoundland

In one accident, a pickup truck travelling from Badger to Buchans Junction during the pre-dawn hours crashed.

Buchans Junction firefighter Kevin Cramm said it appears the asphalt was still in place, but the road bed has been washed way.

He said the pickup managed to cross the washout, but crashed into the opposite embankment, shearing off the truck'sfront axle.

Cramm said it didn't appear the male driver was seriously injured. He was taken to thefire hall and later airlifted to hospital in Gander.

Fewer details are available on the second incident, but Goodyear said the two injured were taken by road ambulance to the hospital in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Goodyear said it's been a challenging day for the health authority.

"Our biggest concern in the central region is related to the road closures and the impact that is having on our services," Goodyear said.

Road closures have hindered the authority's ability to transport patients, and Goodyear said the areas most affectedare Lewisporte, Buchans and the Harbour Breton area.

Staff can't get to work

Some services in Lewisporte, including lab and x-ray and the private medical clinic there, were closed Tuesday.

An after-hours clinic at the Lewisporte Health Centre is open for emergency services only.

Goodyear said it's been difficult for some staff to get to work because of the road closures.

As a result, staffing priorities include emergencies and the long-term care facility.

"If you can wait, please do," Goodyear said.

The health clinic serving the Harbour Breton/St. Alban's areais isolated with very limited staff available, while the health centre is Buchans is fully staffed.

The health authority is relying on helicopter transport in the event of emergencies, said Goodyear.