2 children among 5 people hospitalized after head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa’s west end

Two young children and three adults were seriously injured in a major collision on Highway 417 between Palladium Drive and Carp Road in Ottawa’s west end Friday afternoon.

The crash happened just after 4 p.m. on the busy highway. 

Ottawa paramedics said a three-year-old boy with critical injuries was airlifted to CHEO by Ornge air ambulance, while paramedics brought a three-year-old girl to CHEO in critical condition.

Three adults were also transported by ambulance to hospitals in the city, including a woman in her 20s and a man in his 30s, both in criticial condition, and a man in his 20s in serious but stable condition. Two other people were assessed at the scene but did not need to go to the hospital. 

Ottawa Fire Services said one of the vehicles caught fire and a driver was trapped inside. Firefighters were able to get the driver out of the car and put out the fire.

A three-vehicle crash on Highway 417 between Palladium Drive and Carp Road on May 31, 2024. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)

Ontario Provincial Police told CTV News Ottawa at the scene that the collision involved an eastbound vehicle that had crossed into the westbound lanes just west of Palladium Drive, striking another vehicle head-on. A third vehicle became involved. The exact circumstances of the crash remain under investigation. 

The crash has closed all westbound lanes of Highway 417 at Palladium Drive. Police expect the closure to last several hours. Eastbound laned were closed for some time at Carp Road, but OPP say they have since reopened.

–With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dylan Dyson