TORONTO

Two Caledonia men were killed in a fiery three-car crash south of Hamilton on Tuesday.

OPP reported a Volvo was travelling along Hwy. 6 — near Chippewa Rd. W., just south of Mt. Hope — when it crossed the centre line and slammed into an oncoming Ford Explorer shortly before 7 a.m.

The Volvo burst into flames and a northbound Chevy Optra travelling behind the Explorer smashed into the burning vehicle.

Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said the young driver of the Volvo, who freed himself from the wreckage, was rushed to hospital with “critical” injuries and died a short time later.

He has since been identified as Nolan Harding, 18, of Caledonia.

The man driving the Explorer was pronounced dead at the scene and has been identified as Walter Chamberlain, 53, of Caledonia.

The two occupants of the Optra — a 44-year-old Dunnville man and his son, 19 — were taken to hospital minor injuries.

A section of Hwy. 6 was shut down for about five hours as officers gathered evidence and debris was cleared from the roadway.

“The crash is still under investigation,” Schmidt said, explaining it was not immediately known why the Volvo crossed into oncoming traffic.

“It appears the roads were reasonably dry at the time of the collision,” he said.

— With files from Irene Thomaidis

chris.doucette@sunmedia.ca