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ABOVE: The latest information on what caused the accident – as well as the officer’s condition

TORONTO – An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer suffered “life-altering” injuries Thursday when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a goose while he was driving on Highway 11 in Barrie.

The incident happened around 9 a.m. Thursday as the unidentified officer was driving south on the highway during a training exercise. He lost control of his motorcycle and crashed after he collided with the goose.

The injured officer was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

OPP Sgt. Mike Di Pasquale told reporters at a Toronto hospital the officer’s injuries are “serious” and “life-altering.”

Highway 11 was closed near Highway 400 both ways due to the collision but reopened northbound shortly before noon.

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Update- Hwy 11 SB at Hwy 400: CLOSED. ALL lanes remain closed for about 3 more hours. — Ontario Prov Police (@OPP_GTATraffic) June 26, 2014

Update- Hwy 11 NORTHBOUND at Hwy 400: ALL lanes have re-opened. — Ontario Prov Police (@OPP_GTATraffic) June 26, 2014

Premier Kathleen Wynne spoke about the crash, saying she hopes “the officer is able to recover completely.”

With a file from The Canadian Press