TORONTO – At least four people are dead following a fiery multi-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Toronto Friday night.
OPP previously told Global News five people were killed but have since revised their statement, saying they are looking into a possible fifth fatality.
WATCH: People tear down fence on Highway 400
“This is probably one of the worst scenes I’ve ever been to,” said Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, describing it as “carnage.”
Schmidt confirmed that one of the fatalities was a child.
Twelve vehicles, including three transport trucks, were involved in the collision, according to a release from OPP. At least one car was flipped on its roof and multiple vehicles erupted into flames.
Two people were transported to hospital with injuries. Police would not release further details on the deceased pending notification of their next of kin.
“It really is a very tragic situation,” said Schmidt.
The weather was clear and roads were dry at the time of the crash. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision, which occurred around 9:45 p.m in the southbound lanes, just south of Finch Avenue.
“The fire completely consumed the trailer,” said Schmidt, adding many of the vehicles were “unrecognizable.”
Schmidt said a reconstruction team was working to determine the cause, and he expected officials to be on the scene investigating through the night.
“We’re just trying to come up with some answers right now, it’s still too early to have a firm idea of what’s going on.”
Traffic on the busy highway was stopped in both directions for hours.
Global News’ Jeremy Cohn reported from the scene that people stuck on the road in their vehicles were beginning to run out of gas, their cellphones running out of battery as they waited to be able to get through.
Many of the vehicles would need to be turned around and rerouted around the area, Schmidt said.