Three people are dead following an early morning crash on Highway 7, near Perth.

Ontario Provincial Police received the call at about 7:30 am. The collision happened on Highway 7 in the Maberly area about 20 kilometres West of Perth.

OPP Sgt. Kristine Rae says two vans heading in opposite directions collided. A driver and a passenger in one van were from Ottawa and were pronounced dead at the scene. The lone driver from Sharbot Lake in the other van was also killed. Two other passengers were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem is at the scene and has learned those injured were transported from Perth Hospital. One was taken to the Civic hospital in Ottawa and the other to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Police say the child transported to CHEO is about 10 years old.

Officers remain on scene along the closed section of highway where roadblocks and a detour has been set up.  The closure between County Road 36 and Zealand Road will be in place until Wednesday afternoon.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem