CHAT News file photo

By Darren Rathwell

Bus sent to pick up stranded people

More highway issues following stormy weather

Jan 31, 2022 | 12:08 PM

SUFFIELD, AB — Inclement weather pummelled parts of southern Saskatchewan late Monday afternoon, after leaving several collisions in it’s wake on Highway One west of Suffield.

The so-called “Alberta clipper” has brought on poor driving conditions and resulted in the closure of Highway One east of Gull Lake to Moose Jaw, according to a provincial website.

Image courtesy: SK. Highway Hotline

Environment Canada says conditions will improve in southern Saskatchewan overnight Monday/Tuesday as the winds diminish.
As well, temperatures will fall to near or below normal values the system tracks into Manitoba.

Courtesy: Twitter

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Meanwhile, RCMP were turning around traffic Monday at the Suffield intersection of Highway One, at secondary Highway 884 following several collisions in the area, with flow of traffic halted on the Trans Canada between Range Road 100 and Range Road 110.

One CHAT audience member said her vehicle was stuck on Highway One for over 3 hours, and sent in video.

Motorist Brandi Wilson sent photos, and said thankfully, she wasn’t injured.

Courtesy: Brandi Wilson

Police said there were a number of multi-vehicle accidents on the Trans Canada between highways 876 and 884, along a stretch between Suffield to Tilley.

But shortly before 4 p.m., Brooks RCMP issued a statement saying “the eastbound lanes of Highway 1 have been opened and one westbound lane has been opened. Road Crews are currently working to re-open the second westbound lane. Surface conditions are still poor and motorists should proceed with caution and drive to the road conditions.”

Police blame the collisions on a combination of zero visibility from snow and wind, plus black ice.

“(Our RCMP members) couldn’t see five feet in front of their cars,” Brooks RCMP Cpl. David Searle told CHAT News.

As of 1 pm Monday, work was underway to clear the roadway of wreckage. Police weren’t certain exactly when reports of collisions in the area started coming in, but believe it likely started shortly after 10 a.m.

Cpl. Searle said police were sending a bus to pick up stranded motorists and passengers, which may number as many as 15 to 20 people. They would be taken to a warming centre at the Heritage Inn in Brooks.

But he added fellow motorists were reportedly giving people rides.

Cypress County says the number of vehicles involved, previously said to be at least 30, has increased to 40.

Courtesy: Twitter

Previous police reports said the incident was a multi-vehicle pileup, but Brooks RCMP told CHAT News early Monday afternoon there were in fact a number of motor vehicle collisions in the same area.

They also say there have been no injuries reported as of 1:30 p.m. Monday.

For information on highway conditions and road closures you can check with 511 Alberta.

Police had earlier reported that only west-bound lanes were closed, but as of 12:16 p.m. said both east and west-bound lanes have been closed.

Updated at 5:34 pm Jan 31/22 to include video and photo from viewers.