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Winter weather, poor road conditions cause vehicles to ‘jump off the highway’

Multiple vehicle crashes were discovered along Highway 2 north of Ponoka, Alta. Many drivers disabled on Saturday.

“A bus was provided to transport people to the Carnash Ag event center in the small town,” read a statement from the town of Ponoka posted on Facebook.

Several vehicles hit a semi-truck on Queen Elizabeth 2 Highway and many others fell into a ditch and scattered into the northbound lanes. Albert RCMP said he had more than 50 vehicles involved in collisions on this leg on Saturday. Final numbers are still being tallied.

Mark Zalaski was driving one of the vehicles that “slammed” into the rear of the Semi.

“I knew it would have to be towed, but I was one of the lucky ones,” says Zalasky.

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He and his wife were picked up by one of the school buses and shuttled to a recreation center with volunteers to help with police forms, coffee, sandwiches and other food.

An overturned truck on Highway 2 in Central Alberta, Saturday, November 5, 2022.

An overturned truck on Highway 2 in Central Alberta, Saturday, November 5, 2022.

By: Aiden Neth

“The hospitality provided was incredible,” he said. “Tonight I am safe and warm and I can sleep here and wait for the morning. I am so proud and very grateful for the love and support given to everyone here tonight.”

In a video sent to Global News, Aiden Ness said:

Neth, a passenger in a car heading south on the highway, captured a long queue in the northbound lane. The ambulance slowly drove past them in the middle lane. Footage showed multiple vehicle pile-ups, a truck flipping over at the central meridian, and a semi-truck with multiple vehicles crashing into the rear.

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The roughly 4-minute video only has traffic breaks at the end when the long lines seem to disappear.

The Sherwood Park Crusaders hockey team was also on the road near Ponoka, and about 10 kilometers north of Ponoka, returning home from the game, the weather turned “quickly” and visibility was poor.

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Police warn of bad driving conditions on central Alberta highways

“Our bus driver did a great job keeping us safe,” said Evan McPheeters, the team’s head coach. “He told everyone to be patient and asked everyone to sit tight. He bobbed and weaved through the rather huge pile in front of us. Yes, the car was running off the road.”

The team eventually fell into a ditch, but remained upright and safe until they were picked up by a bus sent by the RCMP to bring people back to the AG Center.

Cars line up in a ditch along Highway 2 north of Ponoka on Saturday, November 5, 2022.

By: Evan McPheeters

Only minor injuries have been reported, police said, but the report is not yet final.

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The RCMP had advised drivers to avoid the highway between Leduc and Airdrie on Saturday due to very bad driving conditions. A portion of the highway near Menaik Road, north of Ponoka, was closed on Saturday and rerouted.

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Police warn of bad driving conditions on central Alberta highways

It has since reopened and snowplows are out in both directions. But the cars are still littered in ditches and roadsides as crews work to clean up the aftermath of the crash. The RCMP advises people not to drive on highways unless absolutely necessary.

In a statement Sunday morning, Edmonton Police said a total of 39 crashes were reported in the city of Edmonton, not including highways, in the 24 hours from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday.

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© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.



Winter weather, poor road conditions cause vehicles to ‘jump off the highway’

Source link Winter weather, poor road conditions cause vehicles to ‘jump off the highway’

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