Flipped cars, dozens of crashes as snowfall snarls Fraser Valley traffic
A blast of winter weather made for a messy commute in the Lower Mainland Tuesday morning.
An unexpected snowfall meant slippery roads and highways, sending vehicles spinning out of control and backing up traffic for hours.
Along Highway 1 through Abbotsford, several vehicles could be seen in the ditches or flipped over in the median.
But the side roads also proved challenging.
In Chilliwack, one person died and another was airlifted to hospital after a single-vehicle crash. While police did not directly blame the elements for the crash, they did say their initial investigation suggests the vehicle “lost traction” and rolled down a 300-metre embankment.
- Read more: 1 dead, 1 injured after vehicle 'lost traction,' rolled down Chilliwack embankment, RCMP say
A five-vehicle chain reaction accident in Langley sent one car into the porch of a home.
“I suspect what happened was there’s a minor, rear-end MVA and the vehicle into the house swerved to miss it and obviously couldn’t stop in time…and then other vehicles coming down the hill crashed into the ones already stopped on the hill,” said Doug Simpson, a platoon captain with Langley Township Fire Department.
“The roads are very slippery everywhere. I think because the snow is so wet. As soon as there’s vehicles driving, it turns to ice with the temperatures,” he explained.
In Langley Township and Abbotsford, emergency services responded to about two dozen calls for snow-related accidents.
Bruce Ferguson, Langley’s acting fire chief is reminding motorists to adjust their driving to the road conditions.
“Slow down. Don’t’ be in a hurry. If you don’t have to go out, maybe stay home until the roads are cleared up,” he said.
Another accident in Langley saw a semi-truck veer off the road in the 6600 block of 264th Street.
“My truck got out of control and skid all the way into the (power) pole,” said trucker Shahzad Rasheed, who said the accident happened as he tried to pulled over to allow more room for a vehicle driving toward him.
“Every driver on the road should be looking to drive carefully,” he said.
Mainroad Contracting, in a statement, says crews will be out on the region's roads salting and brining in preparation for an anticipated two centimetres of wet snow overnight. Lane closures will also be in effect on the Port Mann and Alex Fraser bridges while crews work to prepare the crossings for more snow.
Motorists are being reminded to check DriveBC for up-to-date information on closures or other issues, and to make sure their vehicles are prepared to handle winter conditions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.