York Regional Police are currently trying to determine how a Vaughan fire truck, with its emergency equipment on, ended up striking a car at Major MacKenzie Drive near Highway 400.

The collision, which occurred at 10:35 a.m. on Tuesday, left a 54-year-old Vaughan man dead. He was the vehicle's sole occupant. He is the ninth person to die on York Region roads this year.

Four firefighters were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The uninjured firefighters worked frantically to rescue the car's driver.

Const. Gerry Phillips, a York Police spokesperson, told ctvtoronto.ca that the fire truck had been heading eastbound on Major Mac heading towards a set of traffic lights for a Highway 400 off-ramp.

"The victim had been sitting at those traffic lights," he said.

"Apparently the lights had turned. The victim proceeded to make a left turn to go westbound on Major Mac -- and got struck by the fire truck entering the intersection."

Road conditions and visibility were both good, he said.

Phillips said investigators are still trying to determine the colour of the lights from witnesses, but those are the early reports.

Police want to speak with two men in a grey pickup truck who may have witnessed the collision, he said.

"Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this collision is asked to contact the York Regional Police Traffic Bureau at 1-866-875-5423, ext. 7703," police said in a news release.

Right-of-way

Emergency vehicles do not have the right to drive through red lights, he said.

"Any emergency services vehicle responding to an emergency call with red lights and sirens and all our toys activated, we cannot proceed through a red light unless it's absolutely, perfectly safe to do so," Phillips said.

He said that in 29 years on the job, he can't remember a fire truck striking a vehicle at an intersection while responding to a call.

Phillips said drivers must remember that even when the light turns green, they should take a second to make sure they can enter the intersection in safety. He noted that fire trucks "can't stop on a dime."

Part of Major Mac is closed from east of Cityview Boulevard to Jane Street while police investigate. It will remain closed until 7 p.m.

The northbound and southbound Highway 400 ramps to Major Mackenzie Drive are also closed. Phillips urged drivers to avoid the area if possible.

With a report from CTV Toronto's John Musselman