Chaos struck Canadian rush hour this Friday when a massive pileup disrupted the major 401 highway just east of Toronto, resulting to the shutdown of the freeway that extended for several hours.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police, the 3 p.m. accident was likely caused by the severe weather conditions that caused multiple vehicles to lose control over the slick, snowy surface. The accident was severely compounded by the poor visibility that prevented drivers from seeing the danger ahead. In total, the accident involved an estimated 70 vehicles across a one kilometer stretch of road that is just 80 kilometers east of Toronto, near Newcastle.
First responders were able to extract five severely injured victims involved in the pileup to Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital. Two victims are considered in serious condition. Thankfully, OPP spokesperson Constable Linda Wolf later confirmed that none of the injuries were life-threatening.
All in all, authorities had shut down the east-bound stretch of road until 10:30 p.m. The west-bound lanes were not open until just before midnight.
Another concern that responders addressed were the scores of victims that were stranded in the cold highway for hours. Buses were ordered to the scene to transport the victims to a recreation center in Newcastle before being sent home. A number of motorists involved were also interviewed by the police to paint a more accurate report of the cause of the pileup.
Due to the sheer number and severity of the crash, it is unlikely that the investigation will be complete for another month.
While it is obvious that poor weather conditions played the major contributing factor, Constable Wolf believes the crash also demonstrates the need for motorists to drive at safer speeds and to act more responsibly behind the wheel.
See the raw footage of the crash's aftermath in the video below:
Believe it or not, this is the fourth major pileup in the U.S. and Canada since December, 2012. Be sure to take a look at the 3 other incidents in the links below. Please drive safely, everyone!
50-Vehicle Crash: I-75 South Shuts Down After Gigantic Car Crash [VIDEO] [PHOTOS]
Massive NY Pileup: Watch Raw Video Of Long Island Expressway Crash; 1 Dead, 33 Injured [VIDEO]
60-Vehicle Pileup On I-5: Watch Video Of Closed California I-5 Here [VIDEO]
