Toston Overpass Site Of Life-threatening Accident
Author: mt43news staff reporter
Toston Overpass Site of Life-Threatening Accident
MT43 News Staff Reporter
What started out as a routine trip to drop off his load of hardwoods in Helena became a frightening experience. Coeur d’Alene truck driver Nigel Beaumont saw another truck coming at him as he rounded the corner driving north across the Toston overpass. “The truck headed straight into me. I had nowhere to go. I remember the impact, but then I blacked out. When I realized I was almost upside-down in my truck, I kicked out the windshield and crawled out,” he explained.
The late-model truck, driven by a single driver, was completely demolished. According to Montana Highway Patrolman Adam Kloster, the driver was life-flighted with serious but non-life-threatening injuries to a Bozeman hospital. He indicated speed was a factor, but investigation of the accident was ongoing.
The accident happened at 2:47 p.m. Tuesday, according to Beaumont. Beaumont stood beside the road while transport trucks endeavored to pull his truck off the embankment. Traffic going to and from Helena to Bozeman was stopped for two hours, according to Patrolman Kloster, who attended the accident.
Beaumont pointed out that a doctor and two surgeons from England who were touring on Harley-Davidson motorcycles stopped to see if they could help the woman who was injured. “People are so helpful. A lady who had stopped before showed up with a sandwich and a drink for me. I was starved,” he said.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: A late-model black truck is shown here with one side completely ripped away. The driver was life-flighted to Bozeman with serious injuries.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 2 Caption: Two wreckers attempt to pull the tractor trailer unit which was pushed down the embankment on the Toston Overpass. The tractor unit had both sets of wheels ripped off and its fuel tank thrown from the unit.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 3 Caption: Nigel Beaumont, a native of England and a truck driver for 30 years with no accidents, stands watching as wreckers attempt to pull his tractor trailer back on the highway.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
