Plane crashes onto Highway 401 median, badly injuring 2 people

The two occupants of a Cessna 150 plane were rushed to hospital Monday evening when their plane crashed into a median along Highway 401 outside the ONroute in Bainsville, Ont., near the Ontario-Quebec border, according to police.

One patient was taken to hospital in serious condition while the second was airlifted to hospital in life-threatening condition, said acting Sgt. Erin Cranton, a spokesperson for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) east region. She said police were called around 8:15 p.m.

A spokesperson for the Ornge air ambulance service said it took a man in his 20s to a hospital in Ottawa.

The initial investigation suggests the plane may have experienced a "mechanical problem" after it took off from an airstrip in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., OPP said in a news release. The plane's intended destination is not yet known. 

The airplane hit hydro wires in its descent, OPP confirmed. Hydro One said early Tuesday morning all power in the area had been restored. 

Police said in a tweet Highway 401 was closed after the crash between the border and the exit to Curry Hill and 4th Line roads. The province's transportation ministry tweeted that the highway reopened at about 4:15 a.m.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said it has deployed a team of investigators to the site. The plane is a single-engine aircraft with two seats.

Search and rescue specialists from CFB Trenton were contacted, said Cranton. A spokesperson for 8 Wing Trenton said its co-ordination centre was not involved. 

The scene is about 40 kilometres east of Cornwall, 80 kilometres west of Montreal and 125 kilometres southeast of Ottawa.