One person is trapped and six others have been sent to hospital following a multi-vehicle pileup on Highway 11 between Orillia and Barrie, on Friday morning just before 10:30 according to Orillia fire officials. At least three vehicles caught fire from a gasoline tanker that initially was on fire, according to officials. Twenty-five people near the tanker were evacuated from their vehicles and put in EMS and OPP units. As many people are without their vehicles, LINX transit was dispatched to rescue those who are “stranded,” fire officials say. Both the northbound and southbound lanes of the highway between Highway 93 (Penetanguishene Road) and Line 4 from Orillia to Barrie were closed for several hours due to the multi-vehicle collision which involved 30 to 40 vehicles and a vehicle fire. The highway reopened around 6 p.m. but MTO are still on scene repairing damage to guardrails, according to police. Authorities are asking motorists to drive carefully in the area. According to officials, three stations responded with assistance from Barrie Fire who were able to control and extinguish the fire. OPP and Simcoe Emergency Services evacuated and extricated the motorists who were trapped, fire officials say. Oro-Medonte Fire Chief Roree Payment says around 12 to 15 people, whose vehicles were damaged from the fire or crash, were moved to a fire station as a warming centre until their family members could come pick them up. Five people were transported to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and one person was sent Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Orillia. Police first closed the highway from Highway 93 to Line 15 but later extended the closure. Police are citing poor visibility in the area due to weather conditions and to avoid travel if possible. The roads are especially treacherous on Highway 11 between Orillia and Bracebridge, according to OPP Central Region. OPP says injuries are being assessed. The weather conditions have been wreaking havoc on Highway 11 causing it to close multiple times over the week due to several multi-vehicle collisions from weather-related circumstances. Highway 11 southbound was also closed at Memorial Avenue in Orillia. Here’s a full list of the latest road closures across the region.
