Longwoods Road has been reopened to traffic following a serious three-vehicle crash just east of Chatham.
Emergency crews were called to the scene east of Louisville just before 8 a.m. on Friday.
Five paramedic units were called to the scene and assessed, treated, and transported four patients in critical condition and a fifth patient with "moderate" injuries to the hospital.
Chatham-Kent police media officer Renee Cowell said the traffic unit has taken over the investigation adding that officers are asking members of the public to "keep everyone involved in this serious collision in your thoughts and prayers today."
Longwoods Road was closed between Centre Side Road and Lindsay Road for several hours while police conducted an investigation. The road was reopened shortly before 5 p.m.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Constable Dan Carroll at dancar@chatham-kent.ca or 519-355-1092.
A Hold and Secure was also in place for a short time at UCC in Chatham Friday morning to ensure a safe landing for an Ornge Ambulance helicopter at the UCC football field but it has since been lifted. School board officials also noted that "in the end, it wasn’t necessary for the air ambulance to land in the football field. The first helicopter was able to depart the landing field at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance before the second chopper arrived."
School officials are also thanking staff and students at UCC who reacted quickly and appropriately to make the school property available during the emergency.
