Update: Head-on collision closes highway in Welland; 2 people seriously injured

Traffic around Highway 140 in Welland was likely to be tied up for hours on Wednesday, after two people were seriously injured during a three-vehicle collision.

A preliminary report from Welland Fire and Emergency Services Chief Adam Eckhart indicated that there was a “serious accident” on Hwy. 140, which is close to Highway 406. The Ontario Provincial Police have closed Hwy. 140 between Ridge and Netherby roads, and two people are being taken to hospital with serious injuries.

(Update: The highway reopened shortly after 11 p.m.)

Cleared: #Incident #Welland #HWY140 between Road and Netherby Rd – All lanes are reopened in both directions

— 511Ontario (@511Ontario) November 4, 2021

Staff Sgt. Kerry Schmidt of the OPP said the collision happened around 4:45 p.m.

“(It was a) two-vehicle collision, approximately head-on,” Schmidt said. “A third vehicle also got tangled up in the mess… Two people have been taken to hospital, one by air, one by ground, both with serious injuries.”

Schmidt added that it was possible that one the drivers was operating their vehicle “erratically” prior to the collision. Any witnesses to the collision are encouraged to call the Niagara OPP at 905-356-1311.

Welland Firefighters at a serious accident on HWY140 near Ridge Rd. Road closed – avoid the area – use an alternate route.

— Adam Eckhart – account not monitored (@EckhartAdam) November 3, 2021

Collision #Hwy140 closed between Ridge Rd and Netherby Rd. 3 vehicles involved, 2 people taken to hospital with serious injuries. #NiagaraOPP investigating, any witnesses please call 905-356-1311 pic.twitter.com/7aqeclRTRj

— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) November 3, 2021

Schmidt added that an OPP collision reconstruction investigation team is being called to the scene. The Niagara Regional Police Service is also assisting at the scene. Collision reconstruction work often requires road closures that last several hours.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s real-time tracking showed that all lanes were closed around 4:56 p.m. on Wednesday.

(Cover photo via Ontario Provincial Police Highway Safety Division.)