A major pileup involving up to 30 vehicles, including several heavy trucks, occurred early Friday morning on Highway 20 near Montmagny, Quebec, leading to significant disruptions and multiple injuries. The accident, reported around 8:00 AM by the Sret du Qubec (SQ), was exacerbated by poor weather conditions with drifting snow contributing to nearly zero visibility.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with multiple ambulances from Montmagny and surrounding areas dispatched to assist the injured. By 11:53 AM, authorities confirmed four individuals were injured; two experienced serious injuries with one possibly life-threatening, and two others suffered minor injuries. A bus was brought on-site to provide temporary shelter for those affected.
According to initial reports, the pileup occurred at kilometer 375 of Highway 20 eastbound, where conditions deteriorated due to strong southwest winds creating severe visibility issues. The road was closed for investigation, with traffic diverted through alternative routes, particularly via Route 132.
Visibility was severely compromised—SQ officials noted it had become almost nonexistent. Beatrice Dorsainville, spokesperson for the SQ, reported, “Everyone was assessed. There were no fatalities, and there were two minor injuries.” She added, “We are working hard to manage this situation.” Several vehicles, including at least five large trucks, were caught up in the crash, underscoring the incident's scale.
Before the pileup, weather forecasts predicted up to 40 centimeters of snow across the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, prompting warnings of adverse driving conditions. MtoMdia issued alerts for winter storms impacting various sectors, reiterative of the universe of severe winter weather racing through the region.
Earlier, reports indicated emergency responders had dedicated much of the morning to extricating individuals trapped within their vehicles, employing specialized tools for rescue efforts. At the peak of the operation, the SQ employed additional support from local fire departments, including those from Saint-Jean-de-Port-Joli, reflecting the extensive response required.
By late morning, the westbound lanes of Highway Jean-Lesage reopened, but eastbound traffic remained halted. The lengthy blockade aimed to allow thorough investigations and clean-up, with officials noting lengthy delays are expected for those traveling through the impacted corridor.
The local Montmagny hospital activated its "orange” protocol, indicating its readiness to handle the surge of patients from the pileup. This level of preparedness required medical staff stationed accordingly to manage incoming patients from what the province classified as a significant external disaster situation.
Ontario's Ministry of Transport confirmed the adverse weather was underlying the harsh driving conditions, which were the focal cause of the pileup. With Kentucky’s statistics reflecting how severe conditions can lead to multi-vehicle accidents, this incident stands as stark evidence of how weather can dramatically shape road safety.
The SQ continues to investigate the circumstances leading to the crash, focusing on pinpointing responsible factors and establishing future preventive measures. Motorists have been urged to stay informed about road conditions and exercise extreme caution during winter weather events, as the situation progresses across the region.
Motorists were alerted to expect continued disruptions and changing conditions as cleanup efforts are underway. More updates are expected as officials monitor the situation closely.