Intense blaze engulfs multi-vehicle Highway 401 crash, death count unclear
A multi-vehicle collision on Highway 401 near Mill Road sparked a fierce fire, leaving officials unable to confirm how many people died.
Police were dispatched around 4:03 p.m. on Oct. 13 to the eastbound side of Highway 401 near Mill Road in the Township of Southwold after reports of a multi-vehicle crash. The incident involved two transport trucks and a passenger vehicle, the latter and one truck igniting in a severe fire that quickly engulfed the wreckage. Investigators have not been able to determine the exact number of occupants or deaths because of the fire’s intensity.
The driver of one transport truck exited the vehicle without injury, while the second truck driver was taken to hospital for minor injuries. The highway was shut for roughly 11 hours while emergency crews conducted their investigation, which remains ongoing.
Why it matters
The blaze hampers authorities' ability to assess casualties and underscores safety risks on a major transportation corridor.
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