A traffic accident on Highway 11 near Orillia has closed the highway "for the foreseeable future" says the OPP.
Police say the collision happened just after 9 a.m. and issued an updated release at 3 p.m.
The accident is being investigated by the Orillia Detachment and the release the investigation is continuing, As Orillia continues to get slammed by snow, Highway 11 is closed in both directions after up to 60 vehicles were involved in a massive crash Friday morning.
"A 49-year-old has been confirmed deceased because of this collision and multiple people have been transported to a local area hospital with various injuries," says Acting Sergeant Jake Daynes in a release. Daynes characterized this morning's incident as a "very serious, multi-vehicle" collision.
Members from the OPP Traffic Incident Management Team are on scene and investigating. No details of a detour have been released.
"Highway 11 will remain closed for the foreseeable future from Coldwater Road to Highway 400 for Northbound Lanes and County Road 169 to Line 15 for Soutbound Lanes until the investigation is completed," says the 3 p.m. release.
The initial crash, amid whiteouts and blowing snow, caused a chain-reaction along the busy stretch of highway with multiple collisions involving tractor-trailers and other vehicles.
"This is a guesstimate at this point, but it looks like between 50 and 60 vehicles were involved," said Orillia Fire Chief Chris Ferry from the crash scene, where whiteout conditions still persist.
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.
Updates in relation to the number of vehicles and total number of injuries will be reported once known.
With files from OrilliaMatters.