A serious head-on crash on Highway 59 south of Woodstock, Ont., sent one person to hospital on Feb. 3, 2026. Oxford County OPP say the two-vehicle collision occurred on a steep section of the highway between Curries Road and Gunn’s Hill Road and forced a multi-hour closure.
Firefighters used hydraulic extrication tools to free one of the drivers from the wreckage. An Ornge air ambulance was called to airlift that person to a trauma hospital in London; OPP later reported the injuries were non-life-threatening.
Investigators say preliminary indications point to black ice at the top of the hill, which may have caused a southbound vehicle to lose traction, cross the centre line and strike oncoming traffic. OPP communications noted the road surface was extremely slippery at the scene and that officers had difficulty maintaining their footing while working.
Highway 59 was closed for several hours while crews cleaned up the site and police gathered evidence. City of Woodstock information on winter road maintenance notes that salt and sand are applied to steep hills during the winter months; drivers are being reminded to slow down and exercise caution on icy roads.
