A second snowstorm in a week wreaked havoc on area roads, contributing to several collisions on Highway 2 and forcing the cancellation of Chinook's Edge School Division buses yesterday.
Environment Canada issued a warning for the region Nov. 1, advising that between 10 and 20 centimetres of snow could fall.
Between 10:00 a.m. and 3 p.m on Saturday, Nov. 2, members of the Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit responded to two injury collisions and an additional eight property damage collisions on Highway 2 between the Calgary city limits and Didsbury.
In a statement issued shortly afterwards, the integrated unit advised motorists that unnecessary travel was not recommended. Anyone travelling on area highways was advised to expect winter driving conditions – including blowing snow, snow and slush accumulation on the roadway, and icy sections.
The first injury collision investigated by Airdrie ITU officers occurred at 12:20 p.m. on Highway 2 near Crossfield.
A 1995 Geo passenger car lost control on the southbound lanes of the highway, went through the cable barrier in the centre median, and collided with a Ford F150 travelling northbound.
Officers report the female driver of the Geo was transported to hospital with minor injuries. The male driver of the Ford was not injured.
The second injury collision also occurred on Highway 2 near Crossfield, at about 2 p.m.
A full size Toyota van travelling southbound lost control and careened into a Honda Civic travelling in the same direction.
A male and female in the Civic were both transported to hospital in Calgary, according to the intgerated unit, and the male driver of the Toyota was not injured.
Speed and weather conditions are being investigated as factors in both crashes.
While the blowing snow had died down by Sunday afternoon, road conditions were considerd poor in the area.
Due to excessive snowfall and unsafe road conditions all Chinook's Edge School Division buses, both urban and rural, were cancelled for Monday, Nov. 4.
All schools did remain open though.
