As Orillia continues to get slammed by snow, Highway 11 is closed in both directions after up to 60 vehicles were involved in a massive collision Friday morning.
It happened near the off-ramp to Old Barrie Road at about 9 a.m. The initial collision, amid whiteouts and blowing snow, caused a chain-reaction crash along the busy stretch of highway with multiple collisions involving tractor-trailers and other vehicles.
"This is a guesstimate at this point, but it looks like between 50 and 60 vehicles were involved," said Orillia Fire Chief Chris Ferry from the scene, where whiteout conditions still persist.
Snow Advisory - #OrilliaOPP
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) February 7, 2025
Orillia OPP would like to advise the public of hazardous driving conditions in the City of Orillia and the surrounding Townships of Oro-Medonte, Severn, and Ramara.
If travel isn't essential, please stay home and avoid unnecessary risks.
- Slow down… pic.twitter.com/QRGM1Nltoo
He said ambulances transported multiple people "with varying degrees" of injuries to Orillia's Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH).
Lisa Roop, a community relations specialist for OSMH, said the hospital did not need to declare what's known as a Code Orange, which is used when there are large-scale, multiple-casualty incidents.
"We did not declare a Code Orange," she said. "After hearing reports of a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11, we worked collaboratively with Simcoe County Paramedics and OPP to meet the needs of the community to support patients that required urgent care as a result."
She said the hospital's emergency department is operating at "full capacity."
Ferry said two Orillia Transit buses are now at the site of the crash and will transport people to Rotary Place in Orillia where they can stay warm and safe.
"Basically, Orillia firefighters along with firefighters from Oro-Medonte and officers from the OPP have been going vehicle to vehicle checking on the occupants to make sure people are OK," said Ferry.
While Friday's crash may not be the largest, it is "significant," said Ferry.
"We've had crashes of this size and magnitude before, but it's been quite some time since anything like this has happened," he said.
Ferry urged people to stay away from the site and to stay off local roads.
"It's been whiteout conditions since we arrived ... and it's still coming down," he said.
The highway is closed in both directions from just north of Orillia at Burnside Line/West Street to Line 11 in Oro-Medonte Township.
Ferry expects that stretch of highway will be closed for much of the day as tow trucks work to clear away the carnage. Then, the highway will have to be plowed and sanded.
Acting Sgt. Jake Daynes characterized this morning's incident as a "very serious, multi-vehicle" collision.
Police say as a result of the crash, local side roads are experiencing higher volumes with similar road conditions resulting in subsequent collisions.
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Original story:
Highway 11 is shut down in the Orillia area after multiple crashes on the snow-covered highway.
The Orillia OPP say the highway — in both directions — between Coldwater Road and Line 15 are closed due to a collision. Firefighters and paramedics have also been dispatched.
There are reports on social media that up to 50 vehicles may be involved and that there are multiple crashes that have occurred along that stretch of highway.
An intense snow squall has been hovering over Orillia for a few hours, creating whiteout conditions.
Police are asking people to avoid any unnecessary travel.
The highway is expected to be closed for some time.
Highway 11 north and south closed in Orillia for a large MVC. Orillia Fire @OroMedonteFire @simcoecountyPS and OPP on scene. pic.twitter.com/7h1ZuwGW5j
— Orillia Fire (@OrilliaFire) February 7, 2025
