Laval, Canada — A catastrophic multi-vehicle collision on Friday afternoon left three dead and several injured on a busy roadway north of Montreal, authorities said. The incident, involving a large truck and three other vehicles, erupted in flames, complicating rescue efforts and resulting in a major traffic shutdown.
The accident occurred just before 2 p.m. in the Auteuil neighborhood, when a southbound large truck on Route 335 near Saint-Saëns Boulevard collided head-on with a northbound vehicle. The initial crash precipitated a secondary head-on collision involving a third vehicle and subsequently, a fourth vehicle rear-ended the truck.
The violent impact caused the truck and one of the cars to burst into flames, escalating the emergency response required at the scene, Laval police reported. The crash site presented a chaotic scene, with first responders working quickly to manage the flames and provide medical assistance.
Authorities confirmed a total of six victims were involved in the crash, including a pregnant woman who, along with others, sustained serious injuries. Fortunately, the woman’s condition has stabilized and is no longer considered life-threatening. Another vehicle involved in the accident was carrying a man and a child who were among those urgently transported to a nearby hospital.
Erika Landry, another spokesperson for the Laval police, stated that at least three individuals were taken to the hospital with injuries that were serious but not life-threatening at the time. She confirmed that their conditions have since stabilized.
The severity of the accident forced the closure of Route 335 in both directions for several hours, as police specialists and accident reconstruction teams worked to clear the wreckage and investigate the precise cause of the incident. These closures significantly impacted traffic flow in the area, adding to the local disruptions.
This tragic event underscores the dangers present on major roadways, particularly involving large vehicles like trucks. Traffic safety experts often point to the increased risk of severe accidents when large vehicles are involved, particularly in head-on collisions. The local authorities might need to reevaluate road safety measures on this stretch of the highway to prevent future incidents.
As the community reels from the impact of this tragedy, local officials and residents are calling for increased vigilance and perhaps a review of traffic and road safety regulations to ensure such a devastating crash does not happen again.