Emergency crews responded to six collisions on Highway 2 between the Highway 27 overpass and Rge. Rd. 322 on Sunday, Dec. 30, according to Olds RCMP Staff Sgt. Jim MacDonald.
MacDonald and fire Chief Justin Andrew say poor road conditions, including an icy highway surface, were a big factor in the collisions; so were drivers going too fast for the road conditions.
"Poor weather and icy road conditions were factors in several single vehicles sliding off the road or into other vehicles travelling on the highway," MacDonald said in an email to the Albertan.
"Some vehicle occupants were transported to hospital with minor injuries.
"Attending officers also observed several other motorists driving too fast for the road conditions, putting themselves, other motorists and emergency responders at risk," MacDonald added. "Drivers are reminded to be cognizant of the condition of roadways and to drive to those conditions."
Fire Chief Justin Andrew said local firefighers were called out to three collisions on Highway 2 during Sunday morning.
He said there were no serious injuries in those collisions.
"All were resultant of poor road conditions as there were strong winds and ice formation on the roadway," Andrew wrote.
"Olds fire and RCMP spent approximately three hours assisting motorists and managing traffic."
Andrew says icy road conditions were "a contributing factor" in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 2 late in the evening on Christmas Day.
The two-vehicle collision occurred at about 9:50 p.m. south of the Highway 27 overpass.
One person was sent to hospital with minor injuries.
The collision involved a northbound sedan and a semi-trailer.
"A northbound sedan lost control on an icy road surface and struck a northbound semi truck and trailer, causing the sedan to spin out of control and strike the cable barrier fence," Andrew says in a news release.
Andrew says the sedan suffered "extensive damage" which caused northbound traffic to temporarily be rerouted while emergency crews cleaned up the scene and the vehicle was moved.
"The lone occupant of the sedan was transported to Olds Hospital with minor injuries. The semi was not damaged and was able to continue on its way," Andrew says.
"Poor road conditions were a contributing factor (in) this accident and emergency responders remind drivers to drive to the conditions and be prepared for winter survival if an accident were to occur," he adds.
