NEWS RELEASES
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
OFFICE OF THE PREMIER
********************* OPP officer dies in collision with moose
BRACEBRIDGE, ON, July 20 - Members of the Ontario Provincial Police are mourning the on-duty death of a fellow officer and praying for the swift recovery of a second officer involved in a single vehicle collision.
The collision occurred while officers were responding to a call for service and struck a moose on Muskoka Road 169 near Walkers Point Road between Gravenhurst and Bala in the Township of Muskoka Lakes.
Shortly after 2 a.m. this morning, two Bracebridge OPP officers were dispatched to a domestic dispute call west of Bala.
The two officers in a marked OPP cruiser were travelling westbound on Muskoka Road 169 when they were involved in a collision with a moose crossing the roadway.
After striking the animal, the cruiser came to rest in the south ditch.
The weather was foggy and the moose was on the roadway at the time of the collision. The officer driving the cruiser was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The second officer was transported by ambulance to South Muskoka Memorial Hospital and later airlifted with serious injuries to St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto.
The collision is currently under investigation by members of the Central Region Traffic Unit.
Muskoka Road 169 near Walker's Point Rd remains closed at this time. The deceased officer, 29-year-old Provincial Constable Andrew Potts [shown], is a seven-year veteran with the OPP.
He was initially posted to Pickle Lake Detachment in Northwestern Ontario and then returned home to Muskoka and Bracebridge Detachment.
The officer is mourned by his parents, sister and girlfriend.
"He was a fine young officer and will be dearly missed by his fellow members," said Commissioner Gwen Boniface. "The OPP is a family and it is at times like these we rally around our people." The passenger, 39-year-old Provincial Constable Matt Hanes, has been posted to Bracebridge Detachment since joining the OPP in March 1991.
He is married and has three young children.
Provincial Constable Hanes is listed in stable condition in hospital.
********************* Premier McGuinty offers condolences on death of Bracebridge OPP officer
Offers sympathy to family, friends and co-workers
QUEEN'S PARK, ON, July 20 - "On behalf of all Ontarians, I would like to express my condolences to the family and colleagues of OPP Officer Andrew Potts who was tragically killed early this morning," said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. "Our thoughts go out to Provincial Constable Potts' family and friends," said Premier McGuinty. "The loss of one of our officers is a tragedy for all of us." "We often say, when police officers die in the line of duty, that it reminds us of the sacrifices they make every day to keep us safe and secure," said Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Monte Kwinter. "We must do everything we can to ensure the safety and well-being of those who dedicate their lives to our service." Premier McGuinty's thoughts are also with Provincial Constable Matt Hanes and his family.
Officer Hanes was injured in the early morning accident that claimed Officer Potts' life.
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