Firefighter seriously injured after being struck by SUV near Bear River

A firefighter was seriously injured Tuesday after being struck by an SUV near Bear River, N.S., while assisting at the scene of an earliercollision.

In a news release Wednesday, Nova Scotia RCMP said first responders were called to the initial collision at 2:26 p.m. AT on Landsdown Road. Police said the firefighter was conducting traffic control while a tow truck was on scene.

"While traffic was temporarily stopped in both directions to allow the tow operator and first responders to conduct their investigation, a driver in an SUV attempted to pass other stopped vehicles and struck the firefighter," the news release stated.

The firefighter was taken to hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

An Annapolis County woman was arrested and is facing a charge of dangerous operation of a conveyance. The 66-year-old was released and is scheduled to appear in Digby provincial court on Oct. 21.

"The RCMP is reminding drivers they are required to obey road closures, direction, and detours from first responders and others conducting traffic control during collision investigations or otherwise working on roadways," police said in the news release.

"In addition to fines or charges, if a vehicle does not slow to appropriate speeds or move over to other lanes, disregard of these laws can put police, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck operators, and anyone else associated to the incident at a significant risk."