1 Dead, Many Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Highway 401 Near Cobourg, Ont.

COBOURG, Ont. (CP) – One person is dead and at least five are in hospital following a multi-vehicle crash today on Highway 401 near Cobourg, Ont., that left a tanker truck in flames and at least 15 other vehicles among the wreckage.

Five people were admitted to Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg, with four in serious condition and one in critical.

A hospital spokeswoman says the facility is in emergency mode, and extra staff have been called in.

Dozens of provincial police officers and other emergency crews, including an air ambulance, are on the scene.

The highway is closed in both directions.

There was heavy snow falling at the time of the crash, and visibility was poor.

Firefighters are using foam to suppress the flames from the burning tanker.

The contents of the tanker were not immediately known, but a plume of black smoke drifted northbound.