Highway remains closed until further notice, with no detour available.

Three people have died following a collision between two tractor trailers on Highway 11/17. (Photos by Ian Kaufman, Tbnewswatch)

1 / 1 Three people have died following a collision between two tractor trailers on Highway 11/17. (Photos by Ian Kaufman, Tbnewswatch)

THUNDER BAY – Three people have died as a result of a collision between a pair of tractor trailers on Highway 11/17 west of Sistonen’s Corners.

In a release issued on Friday morning, Ontario Provincial Police say the driver and passenger in an eastbound commercial motor vehicle were killed, as well as the driver of a westbound commercial motor vehicle. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

Identification of the victims is being withheld, pending the notification of next-of-kin.

The investigation into the collision, which occurred just after 10:30 p.m. on Thursday five kilometres west of Sistonen’s Corners, the junction of Highway 11/17 and Highway 102, is ongoing.

Investigators remain on scene, including members of the OPP Highway Safety Division, the OPP Traffic Collision Investigators, forensic identification services, as well as Superior North EMS and Kaministiquia and Conmee Fire and Emergency Services.

The section of Highway 11/17 was closed from around 10:30pm Thursday night until around 1:30 p.m. Friday, when it was opened to one-lane alternating traffic. Hundreds of vehicles were held up in long lines on Highways 11/17 and 102. As of Friday evening, OPP had not announced the reopening of the second lane.