THUNDER BAY - Traffic in both directions is being diverted following a serious collision on Arthur Street West.
The collision took place Monday morning at approximately 9:30 a.m. just east of Mapleward Road.
Three vehicles were involved with one partially in the ditch. A transport truck observed parked on the shoulder was not involved.
According to a statement from Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, crews observed a large plume of smoke in the area before arriving at the scene.
"A third Pumper and a Platoon Chief responded on this upgraded information," the statement reads. "As the first two pumpers arrived a command decision was made by the first arriving officer that the first truck in would render medical assistance and conduct triage while the second pumper would deal with the working car fire."
One of the individuals involved in the collision who was uninjured pulled another individual from one of the vehicles.
"The professionalism of the first responders (Fire, Police and Ambulance) on scene and their ability to conduct concurrent activities a much worse outcome was avoided," the statement from Thunder Bay Fire Rescue said.
Two people were taken to hospital with one said to have sustained life-threatening injuries.
Thunder Bay Traffic Unit Acting Sgt. Sal Carchidi said the investigation is still ongoing at this time but it appears to have been a head-on collision.
"Just based on the initial stage upon our arrival, it is obvious to us it was a head-on collision where It appears one of the vehicles cross the centre line into oncoming traffic," he said. "Even after making efforts to avoid the collision, there was still a head-on crash."
Arthur Street West remains closed in both directions, with eastbound traffic being diverted down Mapleward Road and westbound traffic turned around at the West Arthur Community Centre.
"We are still in early stages. The traffic unit is investigating the collision," Carchidi said. "They are on scene now. We are anticipating the road opening up early this evening."
