Highway 11 reopens after fatal involving ATV and transport truck

An undated image of an Ontario Provincial Police vehicle pulled over to the side of a roadway. (File photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

A fatal multi-vehicle collision involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and a transport truck has claimed the lives of four individuals and forced the closure of Highway 11 in northern Ontario for about 15 hours.

Ontario Provincial Police first alerted the public to the crash in a social media post at 4:12 a.m., stating that the highway was closed in both directions between Driftwood at Highway 655 and Clear Lake Road in Kapuskasing due to a “serious multi-vehicle collision.”

In a news release Saturday afternoon, OPP said the crash occurred at approximately 3:20 a.m.

The roadway reopened at about 6:35 p.m., according to police on social media.

Fatalities confirmed as closure clarified

By 4:57 a.m., the OPP confirmed the collision had turned fatal.

“Highway 11 is closed in both directions from Driftwood at the intersection of Highway 655 till Clear Lake Road in Kapuskasing due to a fatal multi-vehicle collision,” the update read. Authorities reiterated that OPP and emergency crews were on scene and urged drivers to avoid the area.

The closure was later extended as police provided further details at 5:20 a.m., revealing that the crash involved an ATV and a transport truck. The affected stretch now spans from Labelle Street in Hearst to Western Avenue in Cochrane.

“As a result of the incident, four individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene,” police said in the news release.

Police urge caution, alternate routes

In all updates, the OPP emphasized the need for motorists to plan alternate routes.

“Avoid the area, expect lengthy delays and plan alternate routes,” police said on social media.

Check Ontario’s 511 Traveller Information Service for up-to-date closures and road information at 511on.ca.

Authorities have not released any details on the cause of the crash or the identities of the victims.

OPP say that further updates will follow.

“The investigation remains ongoing,” said police.

Authorities urge anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

Check back to CTVNorthernOntario.ca for updates on this developing story.