Highway 400 south of Barrie remains closed after a multi-vehicle crash. The OPP says at this point it may reopen at 6am Nov. 2. The closure affects both southbound and northbound lanes between Highway 88 and 89.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt has been updating the public via social media. Schmidt says the crash happened at around 11:30pm Oct. 31 and involved 14 vehicles, including two fuel tankers and three transports.
"There was another collision that had occurred just a short distance just ahead in front of that crash and traffic was slowing down around that area," said Schmidt. "The OPP as well as emergency responders were dealing with a three-car crash Highway 400 northbound, north of Highway 88 when they observed a massive collision followed by a fireball just behind them in the ensuing traffic."
There are three confirmed deaths. The investigation is ongoing, but what the OPP does know at this point is that the two fuel tankers caused the fireball and explosions. The fire lasted about two and half hours. Crews extinguished the fire shortly after 2am, Nov. 1.
Schmidt says officers have spoken to witnesses. "Some of the preliminary information is indicating that they observed a transport truck travelling 400 northbound, approaching some slowing traffic and colliding into the rear end of cue vehicles that were waiting in line."
Schmidt says this collision is beyond description. "It's something I think is probably one of the worst I've ever seen in terms of absolute carnage and destruction."