The snow and cold temperatures made highways in southern Alberta slick and emergency crews were called out to deal with a number of crashes.
RCMP closed the southbound lanes of the QEII Highway between Didsbury and Carstairs due to a multi-vehicle collision which claimed one life. The northbound lanes were not affected.
Road conditions on the Trans-Canada Highway west of the city also deteriorated during the morning and the westbound lanes of the highway were closed at the Minnewanka turnoff due to an injury collision.
The crash occurred near the Mt. Norquay overpass and involved five vehicles. RCMP say the initial collision involved two vehicles, including a semi tractor-trailer unit, and sent one truck into the ditch. The two drivers exited their vehicles and were verifying everyone was okay, when a third vehicle left the highway and struck the drivers. The chain reaction of crashes continued with two more vehicles colliding with the pileup of trucks and vans.
RCMP says drivers should stay in their vehicles following a crash until emergency crews respond.
“Especially with these kinds of road conditions, when people could start slipping and sliding at any time, it would be safer to stay in your vehicle until emergency services can ensure the safety of everyone,” said Cpl. Chris Kosack of the RCMP.
According to EMS officials, a male patient was transported to Hospital in Banff in serious condition. The man's injuries required additional medical attention and he was transferred to a Calgary area hospital.
Three other patients were transported to the Banff Hospital.
The Trans-Canada Highway was closed for several hours.
Visibility on HIghway 2 south was also reported to be poor and snow covered roads made driving tricky.
South of Calgary, a semi tractor-trailer and an SUV collided near the Cargill plant on Highway 2A on Thursday at approximately 9:00 a.m.
The SUV driver was trapped in the wreckage and extricated by ground emergency services.
STARS was dispatched to the crash scene near Aldersyde and transported the driver of the SUV, a 26-year-old man, to Foothills Hospital in serious but stable condition. His injuries were described as potentially life threatening.
The driver of the semi tractor-trailer unit was not injured in the crash.
The north and southbound lanes of Highway 2A were closed following the crash and RCMP continue to investigate.
For the latest road conditions, visit the AMA Road Reports and DriveBC Websites.
