Snow squall leads to deadly major pileup on Ontario highway
A Snow Squall Warning is in effect for the area, with Environment And Climate Change Canada warning of up to an additional 4 inches of snow and hazardous travel conditions due to reduced visibility from lake effect snow squalls off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
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ORILLIA, Ontario – A snow squall triggered a deadly multi-vehicle pileup along an eastern Canadian highway Friday.
Ontario Provincial Police reported the collisions along Highway 11 just before 9:30 a.m. in Orillia.
Emergency crews arrived to find multiple vehicles, including semis, involved in the crash.
A 49-year-old person was killed in the crash, and multiple others were taken to local hospitals, according to Acting Sgt. Jake Daynes with the Ontario Provincial Police.
"There’s an abundance of snow; visibility and driving conditions are poor, please remain off these roadways if you can," Daynes said.
A multi-vehicle pileup during a snow squall caused hazardous driving conditions, closed a Canadian highway, and prompted a significant emergency response.
(Orillia Fire)
A Snow Squall Warning was in effect for the area, with Environment And Climate Change Canada warning of up to an additional 4 inches of snow and hazardous travel conditions Friday due to reduced visibility from lake effect snow squalls off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
"The worst conditions are likely to be confined to areas closest to Georgian Bay with lesser impacts farther inland," the weather agency said. "Conditions are forecast to improve this afternoon.
Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within feet are common.
A warming center in Orillia has been opened to provide shelter for those affected by the collision.