OPP continue to update the public after a serious crash on Highway 11 in Orillia this morning. They have confirmed that a 49-year-old has died, and 11 people were taken to local area hospitals with various injuries.
In a social media video, OPP Acting Sgt. Jake Daynes confirmed that earlier reports of mass casualties are incorrect. The surrounding regions have dispatched additional resources to help clear the highway which is expected to remain closed for the “foreseeable future” as the investigation into the crash continues.
The crash took place near the off-ramp to Old Barrie Road at about 9 a.m. and led to a chain reaction of collisions involving multiple vehicles including tractor trailers. It’s not clear whether treacherous roads and whiteout conditions were a factor. The whiteout conditions continued throughout the day as rescue efforts were underway.
Police say local side roads experienced higher volumes with similar road conditions resulting in subsequent collisions. Officers are asking people to please drive carefully on the alternative routes as road conditions remain dangerous. If you have a collision do not get out of your vehicle.
A news release states that members of the OPP Traffic Incident Management Team are on scene and investigating. Highway 11 will remain closed from Coldwater Road to Highway 400 for Northbound Lanes and County Road 169 to Line 15 for Soutbound Lanes until the investigation is completed.
The City of Orillia has declared a Significant Weather Event to alert the community that the current extreme weather conditions could pose a danger to users of City roads, sidewalks and bike lanes. Environment Canada issued a snow squall warning at 10:11 a.m. for the Orillia area. Between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. more than 40 cm of snow has fallen in Orillia with another 20 cm of snow expected. City of Orillia winter control crews remain operational and will be maintaining roads, focusing on main arterials to support emergency vehicles. Members of the public are asked to avoid travel at this time as roads are currently impassible in some areas. The City will provide updates at orillia.ca and on the City’s social media channels once the Significant Weather Event has ended.
One reader wrote 705BLACKFLY.COM saying, “I went through here at 6:30am and it was so bad and I could barely see anything. Ended up getting off at Orillia and waited for 30 minutes until it got light out, and then slowly followed a snowplow until South of Barrie. It went from clear conditions in Gravenhurst to nearly zero visibility real quick. Scary stuff, and real sad.”
The OPP is asking for the public’s assistance with this investigation. If you have any information or any video footage, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or your local area Crime Stoppers.
We are closely monitoring this story for updates. Follow us on Facebook for the latest information.
