Manitoba RCMP reported responding to two multi-vehicle accidents near Portage la Prairie on Friday, due to hazardous driving conditions that led to the closure of sections of Highway 1 and Highway 75.
As of 6:30 p. m., Highway 1 was closed from Headingley, just west of Winnipeg, to Austin, which is west of Portage la Prairie, according to the provincial 511 road conditions website.
The City of Portage la Prairie announced on its website that travelers who were stuck due to the storm and highway closures could use the Herman Prior Centre, located at 40 Royal Road N, as an emergency shelter.
RCMP stated there were several accidents along that stretch of the Trans-Canada, including two multi-vehicle crashes near Oakville, east of Portage la Prairie, around 11:20 a. m.
Collisions occurred in both eastbound and westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada, RCMP mentioned in a news release later in the afternoon.
At least five vehicles were involved in one crash, including an RCMP vehicle.
A provincial road camera captured images showing vehicles halted at the intersection of highways 1 and 13 near Oakville shortly before 3 p. m.
RCMP and emergency services transported individuals to hospitals; however, they believed there were no serious injuries reported, according to RCMP.
Sgt. Mark Hume told that visibility on the Trans-Canada highway east of Portage la Prairie was severely reduced because of blowing snow.
“It was just completely white out,” he said.
In those conditions, he explained that one vehicle struck another that had stopped. Following that collision, other cars-including a police cruiser-were rear-ended which resulted in a pileup.
“It’s a little concerning,” Hume said. “In some cases, people may just need to turn around and go back home.”
The police mentioned they were collaborating with local fire and ambulance services as well as tow truck operators at the scenes of the accidents.
Hume noted that zero visibility from blowing snow creates potentially risky situations for first responders.
“When we park our vehicles and we’re out on foot trying to either rescue people or direct traffic or medically treat people … we have no idea if a vehicle is going to drive through and hit us,” he said.
Highway 75 remained closed from Morris all the way down to the U. S. border Friday afternoon while Highway 5 was shut down from Ochre River to Mc Creary according to information from 511.
Additionally, Highway 2 was closed from Highway 100 up until Starbuck by Friday evening along with Highway 3 from Carman up until Highway 23.
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