Alberta’s chief north-south corridor has now been reopened following a massive crash that involved nearly 100 vehicles and injured dozens of people.
Ponoka RCMP confirm that the highway was reopened shortly before midnight but the investigation will take quite some time to complete.
They say 85 to 100 vehicles were involved in the pileup, but that number doesn’t include the numerous crashes outside the main scene.
Numerous people were taken to hospital and treated as a result of their injuries in the crash.
One man is still in hospital after sustaining serious, undetermined, injuries.
Initial reports by police suggest he was outside of his vehicle and was hit by a semi truck that was unable to stop due to the icy road and white out conditions.
He is at the University of Alberta hospital undergoing treatment and has not been identified.
Police say that a cattle liner loaded with 75 head of cattle was also involved in the crash.
All but two animals were safely transferred to another vehicle. The pair of cows needed to be put down as a result of their injuries.
The major highway was closed in both directions early Thursday afternoon after the collision – drivers were encouraged to use Highway 53 at Ponoka, because Highway 13 at Wetaskiwin was becoming congested.
On Thursday evening, Edmonton police said southbound traffic on the QE2 was being diverted at the Millet overpass, while investigators and traffic officials combed through evidence at the crash scene.
Officers from a number of detachments, and members from the Edmonton Police Service, were called to the scene to assist.
The RCMP thanked all the emergency services that aided in the crash in a release on Thursday night.
The highway was closed for about 12 hours.
Police warn that the conditions on the QE2 are still slippery and drivers should take care and drive to the conditions.
With files from CTV Edmonton
