Update 10:44 p.m. Monday: The O.P.P. reported that all lanes of the highway have reopened.
PRESCOTT – At least four people — possibly five — have life-threatening injuries of the two dozen in hospital after a motor coach crashed on the westbound Highway 401 near here.
Emergency officials, including an Ornge air ambulance, rushed to the scene around 3:30 pm.
Initial reports suggested 30-40 had been injured after a bus collided with a rock cut along the westbound lanes on the highway, west of Blue Church Road.
It’s wasn’t immediately known the extent of the injuries, though a tweet from Leeds and Grenville EMS suggests some are serious.
Brockville General Hospital has declared a code orange – a declaration of a mass casualty incident – and patients are being diverted to Kemptville and Ottawa, the paramedic service tweeted. At least 20 patients were being taking to Kemptville.
Multiple patients without vitals signs. Multiple patients sent to Brockville General with serious injuries. @BrockvilleGener has declared a code orange. Patients being diverted to @KDHonline and Ottawa Queensway and Ottawa Civic.
— Paramedics of L&G (@medicsofLandG) June 4, 2018
O.P.P. later said four people have suffered life-threatening injuries while at least 20 more are in hospital.
At 4:53 p.m., the Brockville General Hospital tweeted that five victims are in critical condition while another patient was taken by Ornge to Kingston hospital. A Mandarin translator is also on site for help.
A section of the westbound lanes from Edward Street (County Road 18) to Maitland Road (County Road 15) are closed.
My thoughts and prayers are with those involved in the accident in my riding. Thank you to the brave first responders on the scene near Prescott
— Steve Clark (@SteveClarkPC) June 4, 2018
UPDATE ROAD CLOSURE: #Hwy401 WB west of #Prescott – All WB lanes closed at Edward St (Prescott) due to collision, Emergency Services on scene. ^lm pic.twitter.com/mVsdWLZo34
— OPPCommunicationsER (@OPP_COMM_ER) June 4, 2018