Multi-vehicle pileup shuts down part of Quebec highway amid blowing snow

MONTREAL – Part of a major Quebec highway has been shut down after bad road conditions contributed to a multi-vehicle pileup.

Provincial police spokesman Gino Pare says about 30 people are believed trapped in their vehicles after trucks and cars crashed into each other on Highway 15 south in the Laurentians north of Montreal.

Firefighters, police and ambulance crews are using the jaws of life to pry people out of their vehicles although the extent of the injuries is not immediately clear.

One person is believed to be in serious condition.

The highway is closed in two directions around Mirabel and Ste-Adele while emergency crews free the vehicles’ occupants and tow trucks haul away the wrecks.

That was likely the most spectacular of the many accidents being reported across the province in the blustery weather.