Hwy. 11 closed both ways in Orillia, Ont., after ‘very serious’ multi-vehicle collision

Provincial police have shut down a section of Highway 11 in Orillia after what they are describing as a “very serious” multi-vehicle collision. 

The highway is closed between Coldwater Road and Line 15 in both directions, and police are advising motorists to avoid the area altogether.

“We are asking all of the public to avoid all unnecessary travel on the roadways where visibility conditions are poor,” said OPP Acting Sgt. Jake Daynes in a video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. 

It’s still unclear exactly how many vehicles were involved, how many separate collisions took place, and the extent of injuries. 

“For those involved in the Highway 11 collision, we are opening up the Rotary Place … here in Orillia,” said Daynes. “It’s being utilized as a warming centre.” 

Simcoe County paramedics also confirmed to the CBC that they did transport patients from the highway after “multiple motor vehicle accidents” but wouldn’t say how many people were hurt or comment on the severity of their injuries. 

Tow truck driver Sonny Subra was not involved in a collision, but says his vehicle got stuck on Highway 11 near the crash. 

“It was very slippery. I tried to control my vehicle and then parked on the right shoulder,” he said in an interview with the CBC. 

Subra said he believed about 50 vehicles in total were stopped on the highway — 30 of which had collided with each other, and about 20 that were uninvolved but were stuck on the road. 

“There’s multiple transport trucks involved — like, eight or nine transport trucks. There’s people injured. This is a mess,” he said.

Subra later posted videos of people leaving their trapped cars behind to get in a bus, while others are picked up in an ambulance. 

The Orillia area is under a snow squall warning on Friday, with Environment Canada warning about hazardous travel conditions and poor visibility. 

The OPP says they are also dealing with other collisions in the area, and “numerous surrounding roads are experiencing heavy call volume” as well.