One person is dead and four others were hurt, two critically, after a five-vehicle crash on Highway 6 in rural Hamilton between the hamlets of Harper’s Corners and Freelton on Wednesday afternoon.

Hamilton paramedics say that at 12:50 p.m. they were called to Highway 6, between Edgewood Road and the 8th Concession for a multiple car crash.

They said one occupant of a vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another man was taken to hospital in critical condition, and a woman in her 30s was also taken to a trauma centre in critical condition.

Two other people were taken to hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition.

Paramedics said they were assessing as many as four other people at the scene for possible injuries.

Authorities said Wednesday evening that the person who died was a 24-year-old Hamilton resident who was sitting in the rear passenger seat of one of the vehicles.

Police say efforts to notify next of kin are ongoing.

Hamilton Police said Highway 6 is closed between Edgewood Road and 8th Concession and the incident has been referred to the OPP Highway Safety Division.

"We are still trying to determine exactly what took place here in this collision. It appears to be a rear-end type collision," OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said on Wednesday afternoon. 

"Currently our collision reconstruction team are on their way. We have members of the Burlington OPP at scene as well speaking to witnesses and involved drivers. If anyone has information please call Burlington OPP and let us know... Obviously we have many questions that need to be answered."

Highway 6 is expected to reopen before 8 p.m.