Essex County OPP say one person has died after a five-vehicle crash on Highway 3.

Police say the collision took place between Cameron and County Road 23 in Essex around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Six other people were injured. Police say none of those injuries are considered life-threatening.

Debris was scattered across the well-travelled stretch of highway. Vehicles were in the ditch, some were completely destroyed.

Nicole Nantais witnessed the accident first-hand, missing it by a mere second.

“I was about one car length away from the accident,” says Nantais.

“I don't even know what happened,” she says. “I saw seven cars in the air at once.’

In a panic she called 911, leaving the scene, and her car behind.

“I felt like someone was watching out for me,” says Nantis. “Like big guy in the sky or something because I was very close to being in the middle of it.”

The section of Highway 3 was closed for several hours for the investigation.

The name of the deceased is not being released until next of kin are notified.