RCMP are urging drivers to slow down or avoid driving as they deal with several collisions across Alberta on Saturday, including one resulting in a man's death.
Two collisions on Highway 43, 265 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, involved more than 30 vehicles, RCMP Cpl. Laurel Scott said.
At about 1 p.m., at least 17 vehicles were involved in a collision east of Fox Creek. One man died after being injured in this collision, Scott said in a release Saturday night.
Another 15 vehicles were in a second pile-up east of the first accident.
The southbound lane of Highway 43 at Fox Creek is closed and traffic is backed up for several kilometres. At about 8 p.m., RCMP expected the cleanup to take another hour, with two trucks removing the vehicles blocking traffic.
Scott said treacherous road conditions persist across much of the province.
"We have poor road conditions, icy conditions, some black ice, sometimes some blowing snow," she said.
Highway 43 near Fox Creek, 265 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, was closed earlier Saturday before one lane was opened later in the day. (Kathy M. Wilson)
Scott urged people to defer travel if possible until conditions improve.
"I know it's hard on people, they want to get somewhere for Christmas," she said.
"If you are going to travel, then please travel very slowly and be prepared for maybe a long travel day, don't be impatient and just take your time."
Conditions on Highway 2 between Airdrie and Innisfail were particularly icy as well, she said.
"Sheer ice — there are vehicles going into the ditch on that stretch of Highway 2."
Cochrane RCMP say there's white-out conditions with limited visibility on Highway 1, Highway 1A, Highway 22, and roads west of Calgary.
Scott said she didn't have information on injuries as RCMP members in the field were busy dealing with collisions and didn't yet have time to report.
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One man is dead in one of two major collisions in northwestern Alberta, Saturday.
It happened around 1 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of Highway 43, approximately 20 kilometres east of Fox Creek in the valley near the Iosegun River.
As many as 17 vehicles were involved in the crash.
Stars Air Ambulances were dispatched to the area. One ambulance assisted at the scene while a second was dispatched to a nearby airport where medical crews assisted ground ambulance crews in administering critical care.
RCMP said a second collision involving at least 15 vehicle also happened on Highway 43 about one kilometre away from the first crash.
Update: Hwy43 at Hwy947, near Fox Creek, reports that SB lanes are now open. Drive with extreme caution as Highway 43 remains in poor winter driving condition and the highway will remain congested for some time as traffic clears. (9:25pm) #ABRoads — 511 Alberta (@511Alberta) December 24, 2017
Highway 43 near Highway 947 reopened just before 6 p.m. but was closed again Saturday evening while emergency crews removed vehicles and debris. It reopened once again after 9 p.m. weather permitting.
“Motorists are requested to slow down and avoid travel if at all possible,” Cpl. Laurel Scott said. “Icy and poor road conditions along with white out conditions are occurring.”
Just gets worse and worse. Vehicles stuck in all lanes, all directions, as far as I can see. Ambulances & EMS everywhere. Avoid highway 43 entirely. pic.twitter.com/02Qtl918kN Story continues below — Kyle Fox 🍸 (@kylefox) December 23, 2017
Road conditions are also poor across central and southern Alberta with several collisions being reported on area highways.
Travel along the QE2 is also poor with icy sections being reported between Crossfield and Innisfail.
Police said there are several vehicles in the ditch.
There are also reports of white-out conditions along Highway 1, 1A and Highway 22 near Calgary.
RCMP could not provide details on the exact number or the extent of injuries in any of the collisions.
“Members are very engaged in actively responding to calls to service and reporting is not available,” Scott said.
