Orillia, Ontario — A tragic multi-vehicle collision involving about 50 vehicles, including several transport trucks, resulted in one fatality and 11 injuries on Highway 11 in Orillia on Friday morning, authorities confirmed. The accident occurred amid poor visibility conditions, challenging first responders and disrupting traffic for hours.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported that the incident transpired shortly after 9 a.m., leading to extensive emergency operations. Chris Ferry, the Fire Chief of Orillia, highlighted the scale of the crash, noting the substantial number of vehicles involved. The chaos prompted authorities to shut down both directions of the highway to manage the scene and begin cleanup operations. Traffic northbound resumed by evening, and southbound lanes were cleared later the same night.
The OPP stated that the drivers faced treacherous road conditions, which contributed to the accident. A snow squall warning had been in effect for the area, significantly reducing visibility and making the roadways slippery. Acting Sgt. Jake Daynes of the OPP addressed the public via a social media video, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel given the hazardous conditions.
Among the vehicles caught in the incident was a tow truck, operated by Sonny Subra, who managed to avoid the collision but found himself stranded. Subra described the situation as extremely slippery, necessitating him to park his vehicle safely on the shoulder. “There are multiple transport trucks involved. There’s people injured. This is a mess,” he recounted.
The victims, including a 49-year-old who was killed in the crash, were transported to a local hospital. The extent of the injuries sustained by the 11 hospitalized individuals was still being assessed at the time.
To assist those affected, Rotary Place in Orillia was set up as a warming center. The community space provided shelter and support to several individuals involved in the crash, while emergency services worked on clearing the highway.
The area’s snow squall conditions were part of a broader weather warning issued by Environment Canada, which cautioned about hazardous travel due to poor visibility across the region. The OPP also noted that they were responding to other collision reports in the vicinity, indicating a tough day for travelers and emergency teams alike.
The aftermath of the crash saw a mobilization of community support and a reminder of the perils of winter driving. Authorities continued to investigate the exact cause of the incident and the sequence of collisions, as recovery operations stretched into the night.