GANANOQUE, ON – Highway 401 has been shutdown in both directions between Mallorytown and Lansdowne after a major pileup involving roughly a dozen transport trucks. 

The Gananoque Police Service are calling this pileup a mass casualty and HAZMAT event, with reports of vehicles being trapped underneath tractor-trailers, and at least one transport unit leaking toxic chemicals at the scene. 

Ontario Provincial Police are currently on scene dealing with the situation. According to a statement from the OPP the initial accident occured around 2 p.m.

It’s been reported that a fatality has occured as a result of the pileup. In addition, 29 indivduals were admitted to Kingston General hospital as a result of the incident.

Police confirmed the driver of the transport unit hauling the toxic chemical involved in the chemic spill was has died.

According to Gananoque Police Service’s Facebook page, this event resulted in numerous other secondary accidents.

The Gananoque Police Service say they aren’t part of this event, but will continue to provide details. 

In addition, the Leeds Fire Department confirmed one of the transport units in the initial accident was hauling hazardous material, which turns into hydrofluoric acid if exposed to heat and that hydrofluoric acid is a highly toxic, highly corrosive and poisonous solution which is harmful to skin, lungs and eyes. 

In the meantime, a decontamination station has been setup for anyone exposed.

As of Wednesday after the stretch of highway still remains closed, with OPP saying they’re unsure when it will be reopened. 

More updates to follow.