Police say drivers need to be aware of winter driving conditions in Calgary on Sunday as one man was sent to hospital after a serious crash early this morning.
Emergency crews were called to the scene of the crash on 52 Street between 114 and 126 Avenue S.E. for reports of a single vehicle crash.
“A single vehicle was traveling southbound on 52 Street between 114 Avenue and 126 Avenue and had a loss of control and collided with a light standard,” says Sergeant Becky Spohr with the CPS.
The male patient was taken to Foothills Hospital in life threatening condition, but he has since been stabilized.
While the cause of that crash hasn’t been determined, Spohr says the roads in the city are very slick in a number of places and drivers need to be cautious.
“It’s not great out there. It’s definitely winter driving conditions although the temperatures are reasonably minor. It is slick out on the roads; there’s a lot of ice and slush, so slow down and take your time getting where you need to go.”
The snow is causing a headache for people off the roads as well.
“It’s spring. It’s to be expected, it’s just what it is,” says Christine Riddell, who was out shoveling the sidewalk in front of her parent’s home.
She adds that while the work has become quite tiring, there is a certain beauty to the scene in Calgary.
“It make our weather pretty. It’s white instead of the brown mucky stuff that comes with spring. I kind of like it.”
Thomas, who did not want to give his last name, says the weather over the last while has been ‘brutal’ but he’s devoted to helping out residents in his community.
“I have to keep everybody safe and happy. My job is to make sure people can access public places and everywhere.”
He also says that weather like this is to be expected in the Calgary region.
“This is Alberta. We’ll get a chinook. When I first moved here in 1980 from the Niagara region, it snowed in June.”
The city says that it is on top of the snow situation this time around and residents will likely not see another snow route parking ban put in place.
“Our crews do work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we are still in winter operations. We anticipated there would be more snow, so our crews are out there doing their work. We just remind citizens to drive to winter conditions and if you see of the sanders or graters out there, just make sure to give then room to work,” says Chris McGeachy with the City of Calgary roads department.
He says the snow and ice removal methods are also having a greater impact because the temperatures are much warmer than they have been.
“When our temperature’s closer to zero our salt works better.”
McGeachy also says the snow clearing budget is still well within tolerable limits and some warmer weather next week is also going to be welcomed.
“I think people that have been out on the roads have seen they’re pretty clear. Mother Nature has thankfully helped us this time. We’re just looking forward to some warmer weather to help us get rid of this snow once and for all.”
For the full weather forecast, check out weather page or download our CTV Skywatch Weather app.
(With files from Brenna Rose)
