Two Dead, Five Injured in Urgent Highway 17 Crash Near Kenora

URGENT UPDATE: A devastating crash on Highway 17 near Kenora has left two people dead and five others injured. The collision occurred around 12:15 p.m. on August 23, 2023, involving an SUV and a pickup truck. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are on the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.

The victims, a 76-year-old woman from Dryden and a 68-year-old man from Ottawa, were pronounced dead at the scene. The five individuals in the pickup truck were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police reports.

Authorities have confirmed that the crash prompted a full closure of Highway 17 in both directions between Kimberley Road and Longbow Lake Road, causing major traffic disruptions for hours. In a social media post at 1:56 p.m., the OPP urged motorists to “please avoid the area and plan alternate routes if possible,” indicating that a lengthy closure was expected.

As the investigation unfolded, the highway remained closed for more than seven hours. It was finally reopened at approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening. The OPP provided regular updates, directing traffic to use Highway 17A as an alternate route and warning that there were “no options to turn around once in the area.”

“The investigation remains ongoing,” said the OPP in a news release. Authorities are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

This tragic event highlights the dangers of road travel and the impact of sudden accidents on communities. Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available.