Updated: March 08, 2026 at 9:31AM EDT

Published: March 07, 2026 at 9:52AM EST

Ontario Provincial Police say one person was killed and another seriously injured in a five-vehicle crash early Saturday morning on Highway 11 near Smooth Rock Falls.

Three more vehicles were involved in secondary crashes, police said.

Collision2 Highway 11 is closed Saturday from Cochrane to Hearst because of a multi-vehicle collision. (Photos courtesy of Stephane Rousseau) Lengthy closure

The roadway was closed for several hours from Cochrane to Hearst on Saturday as emergency responders and OPP units investigated the scene.

Police responded around 5:30 a.m. to reports of several vehicles involved in a collision between Red Pine Road and Lookout Road in Smooth Rock Falls.

“Upon arrival, officers determined that five vehicles were directly involved in the collision,” the OPP said in a news release.

Collision 3 Highway 11 is closed Saturday from Cochrane to Hearst because of a multi-vehicle collision. (Photos courtesy of Stephane Rousseau)

“An additional three vehicles were involved in a secondary collision in the area. One person was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second person sustained severe but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital for treatment.”

Ongoing investigation

Members of the Cochrane OPP continue to investigate the incident with the assistance of the OPP traffic incident management and enforcement and the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario.

Authorities reopened the highway Saturday evening.

Current road conditions from across northern Ontario can be found at Ontario 511.

This story will be updated when new information is available.