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Multiple people died on Tuesday evening, following what provincial police officials described as a “horrific” crash on Highway 401 south of London in Southwold Township.
The crash happened at the peak of the afternoon commute, when a transport truck crashed into the rear of a passenger vehicle waiting in traffic, police said.
The vehicle that was hit was stationary due to a separate collision that happened earlier near Colonel Talbot Road in the highway’s eastbound lanes.
“That [passenger] vehicle burst into flames, and right now I can tell you that we do have some deceased individuals in that vehicle. I just don’t know the number of people that were in that vehicle [at this time],” said OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk.
Initially, police reported around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, that Highway 401’s eastbound lanes had closed due to a multi-vehicle collision and urged motorists to find alternate routes.
Twenty minutes later, police extended the closure to both westbound and eastbound lanes of the highway, reporting another crash had taken place.
“The eastbound lanes of Highway 401 between Iona Road and Colonel Talbot Road are going to be closed for the next six to eight, to possibly 10 hours,” Sanchuk said at approximately 5:45 p.m.
Sanchuk asked for patience from people stuck in traffic as police conduct their investigation.
Police said updates would follow their initial reports.