Two people spotted duking it out on the side of Highway 401
Posted March 23, 2021 7:13 pm.
Last Updated March 24, 2021 10:51 am.
In fight folklore there’s the Thrilla in Manila, the Rumble in the Jungle, and now, from the dusty shoulder of the 401, the Rush-hour Punch Shower.
680 NEWS airborne traffic reporter Jordan Kerr was doing his usual rounds in the chopper on Tuesday night when he spotted something unfolding in the express lanes on the eastbound 401 near Bayview just before 6 p.m.
A stalled vehicle proved to be a magnet for trouble when Kerr said several tow truck drivers convened on the scene.
“When I first saw the issue, it was just a stalled vehicle and one tow,” Kerr explained. “About 10 minutes later another two tows arrived and I watched an argument unfold between two of the drivers.”
Kerr says a third tow truck driver was trying to diffuse the situation, to no avail.
“It got more heated then they started grappling and punching coming very close to falling into live traffic lanes,” he explained. “A few drivers stopped to help break up the fight, and one of the drivers stormed off and drove away.”
Kerr says the OPP arrived shortly after the stalled car was safely towed away.
No one appeared to be injured in the scuffle.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says police received a call for a two-vehicle crash on the 401 eastbound express at Leslie. One vehicle needed a tow, the other vehicle was drivable.
Schmidt says a few minutes later, there were reports of two people wearing reflective vests fighting. The combatants fled the area before police arrived.
Schmidt could not confirm the two people fighting were tow truck drivers.
“I honestly couldn’t believe it,” Kerr concluded, saying it’s the most surprising thing he’s seen while patrolling the skies.
