Climate advocates rescued by Ottawa fire, arrested for climbing Hwy. 417 signs
Three climate activists were charged after Ottawa firefighters rescued them from Highway 417 road signs on Tuesday.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) told CityNews Ottawa the three individuals were charged with mischief and common nuisance – endanger life, as a result of the incidents.
Louve Grondin, 21 and Vincent Thibault, 28, both from Quebec and Gift Marshall-Burghart, 25, of Toronto were released and set to appear in an Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.
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Police said the incidents caused significant delays for morning commuters and a multi-vehicle collision. No one was injured in the crash.
Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) first responded to Highway 417 westbound at Woodroffe Avenue where a person had climbed onto the sign above the highway.
The Rope Rescue Team safely brought the activist to safety using an aerial truck by 9:34 a.m.
Ottawa fire said that Last Generation Canada, a climate activist organization, was protesting at several overpasses in the city.
Crews then responded to the eastbound 417 at Woodroffe Avenue for another activist who had climbed a sign above the highway.
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Again, the rope rescue squad lowered the activist to safety using an aerial truck by 9:57 a.m.
Firefighters rescued a third activist at 10:24 a.m. who climbed a highway sign on the westbound 417 at Pinecrest Road.
Third activisit has been safely brought down with our aerial truck.
No other reports of other activists in the area at this time.
We are clearing the scene. #OttNews@Ottawa_Traffic @OPP_ER https://t.co/HFdrEmgW5a pic.twitter.com/Pu0nx7q8Bm
