One dead, multiple injured in Hwy. 11 pileup near Orillia

A 49-year-old person was killed and several left injured in a multi-vehicle pileup on Highway 11 near Orillia, Ont. during heavy snow squalls, police say.

OPP Acting Sgt. Jake Daynes told reporters that witnesses estimated up around 50 to 60 vehicles involved, though an exact number has not been confirmed.

Several others were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, though authorities did not specify how many were involved.

According to an update from the OPP Central Region, all southbound lanes of Highway 11 remain closed between Coldwater Road and Line 15 as cleanup efforts continue.

A detour has been set up via Old Barrie Road, but police are asking drivers to avoid the area. There is no timeline for reopening.

A snow squall warning is in effect for the region, with 10 to 20 centimetres of snowfall expected. Temperatures in Orillia were about -5°C, with a windchill of -13°C at the time of the collisions.

Check highway conditions before heading out anywhere in and around the area.

Officials have also opened a warming centre at Rotary Place in Orillia for those affected and are asking anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact police.

WATCH: Major collision reported on HWY 11, snow squalls create dangerous conditions

Thumbnail courtesy of Alexis Jaidyn Jewitt via Facebook.