Provincial police are warning drivers to avoid sections of Highway 11 in both directions in Orillia as they investigate a fatal multi-vehicle collision.

Police say one person is dead and several others injured after a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 11 near Orillia, Ont., in snowy weather Friday morning.

A multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11 in Orillia on Friday morning has closed the highway in both directions, OPP said. Orillia Fire said they were being helped by Oro Medonte Fire, Simcoe County Police, and OPP at the scene in the southbound lanes between Old Barrie Road and Coldwater Road.

All southbound lanes of Highway 11 in the Orillia, Ont., area shut down Friday morning after multiple crashes were reported on the snow-covered roadway. The highway is closed for an unknown duration due to multi-vehicle collisions, according to Ontario Provincial Police.

Reports on social media suggest up to 50 vehicles may be involved; southbound lanes closed between Coldwater Road and Line 15

A 49-year-old has been confirmed deceased because of this collision and multiple people have been transported to local area hospital with various injuries'