More than 200 motorists and a line of semis kilometres long were stranded in or near Virden by the winter storm that hit Manitoba.
Virden RCMP and members of the Virden volunteer fire department attempted to check on everyone who stayed the night in their vehicles. They provided food, water and urgent medication, such as insulin, to the motorists according to a news release Wednesday.
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“It was a challenging evening with blizzard conditions, multiple collisions in the area and about 5 kilometres of semis stopped on Highway 1,”Cpl. Matt Hipwell with the Virden RCMP said in a release. “We worked closely with the Town of Virden and the volunteer fire department to ensure everyone was ok. Our community really came together to help those in need.”
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By Wednesday afternoon Highway 1 was reopened.
Virden Mayor Jeff McConnell said 62 travellers spent the night in Virden in the town’s recreation centre. Bedding and food were supplied to those stranded in the town and an impromptu concert was held by Canadian performer, Tom Jackson, and his band. They were driving from Regina, Sask. to Brandon for their Huron concert.
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“It was really well received,” McConnell said. “Everyone was very excited to hear it.”