Updated - January 29th, 2016 1:40pm: On Thursday January 28, 2016 at approximately 9:20 p.m. a tractor trailer hauling livestock cattle was travelling southbound on Highway 69 when it crossed the centre line and struck the blade of a northbound plough truck. The tractor trailer then hit a northbound minivan who was following the plough. The tractor trailer continued southbound and struck a northbound tractor trailer hauling vehicles head-on. Both tractor trailers came to a stop into a rock cut and were engulfed in flames.
The road remains closed as crews clean up the scene. The Ministry of the Environment has been notified. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
The driver of the tractor trailer hauling livestock has been pronounced deceased. The identity of the driver will be released once it is confirmed.
The public is reminded to use *511 from their cellular phones for up to date information on the road closure. All traffic has been rerouted off of Highway 69. Tractor trailers and other heavy loads are being rerouted northbound to Highway 124 to Highway 11. Southbound tractor trailers and heavy loads are being rerouted via Hwy 522. Small vehicles can bypass the collision by taking Highway 559 to Shebeshekong Rd, then Highway 69 to Highway 529.
More information will be provided once it becomes available.
---
On Thursday January 28, 2016 at approximately 9:20 p.m. the West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police, Britt Fire Department, Carling Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to a 4 vehicle collision on Highway 69 north of Harris Lake Road in the Township of Wallbridge, District of Parry Sound.
A tractor trailer hauling livestock cattle was travelling southbound on Highway 69 when it struck the blade of a northbound plough truck. The tractor trailer then hit a northbound minivan. The tractor trailer continued southbound and struck a tractor trailer hauling vehicles head-on. Both tractor trailers came to a stop into a rock cut and were engulfed in flames.
Technical Traffic Collision Investigators (TTCI) are currently processing the scene and the road remains closed as crews clean up.
The plough driver and the driver of the tractor trailer hauling vehicles were uninjured. The 5 occupants of the minivan suffered non-life threatening injuries. The identity of the driver of the tractor trailer hauling livestock has not been confirmed.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation. More information will be provided once it becomes available.