Highway reopens after 7 car-crash in Chatham-Kent

A seven-car pileup closed a portion of Highway 401 in Chatham-Kent Friday afternoon, after Environment Canada issued a travel advisory for the region.

OPP from Chatham and St. Thomas responded around 11 a.m. to a crash involving seven cars on the 401 eastbound near the 125-kilometre marker, in Chatham-Kent.

Police say inclement weather caused "extremely poor" driving conditions.

The crash included four commercial vehicles and four cars. One of those cars was carrying seven people, two of whom needed to be extricated by West Elgin Fire Services.

Those seven occupants were taken to hospital for injuries not considered to be life-threatening; occupants from the other vehicles reported no injuries.

A section of Highway 401 eastbound was closed for several hours for the scene to clear. The highway has since reopened.

Drivers are reminded to adjust their driving to the weather.

Anyone who may have seen the crash or the vehicles immediately before the crash, or who has dash camera footage, is asked to contact OPP or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous.

Environment Canada Friday morning issued a winter weather travel advisory for southwestern Ontario including Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia.