WATCH ABOVE: Freezing rain caused havoc on the roads Friday morning, especially on area highways. Lisa Wolansky has the details.
EDMONTON – Freezing rain wreaked havoc on highways surrounding Edmonton on Friday morning, including the Morinville area where dozens of vehicles hit the ditch, and a semi collided with a school bus.
Morinville RCMP said it was inundated with calls due to the icy road conditions. Police said over 40 vehicles, including the semi truck collision that caused no injuries, went into the ditch. A second collision happened on Highway 2 that resulted in injuries.
Another collision was reported on Highway 37 east of Highway 28. Police said none of the crashes resulted in serious injuries.
First responders from several agencies responded to the crashes, including police from Edmonton, Morinville, Fort Saskatchewan, St. Albert, along with EPS and local fire departments.
The icy roads and fog also caused several collisions near Grande Prairie. Grande Prairie RCMP said it responded to multiple crashes on Highway 43 east and west of the city, including a serious collision between two semi trucks on Highway 43 near Range Road 71. The westbound lanes on Highway 43 west of the city have since re-opened after being blocked by the crash. RCMP said injuries of the drivers were unknown as of Friday afternoon.
Police said unless it was absolutely necessary, drivers should stay home. RCMP also asked those who do have to venture out on to area roads to be extra cautious.
Environment Canada issued freezing rain warnings for regions around Edmonton on Friday morning.
The weather agency said the system moved into Alberta overnight. Patchy freezing rain was expected in the Grande Prairie, Peace River, Hinton and Whitecourt regions before moving southeastward and tapering off.
Environment Canada said a second wave of freezing rain will develop once again in the Peace Country Friday afternoon. This band of freezing rain is expected to be heavier. It’s expected to move southeast toward southern Alberta.
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