‘Slowing down, being patient’: school bus crash prompts icy-road warning

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This article was published 17/01/2024 (799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HEADINGLEY — A crash involving a school bus carrying children and a seven-vehicle pileup were among the smash-ups on slippery roads in the Winnipeg area Wednesday, prompting appeals for drivers to slow down.

Icy, rutted or snow-packed surfaces are proving tricky for some Manitobans, while provincial and municipal crews try to keep up with snow-clearing or sanding in the wake of a storm, some lighter dustings, an extreme cold snap and strong winds.

“Overall, you could say it’s been challenging (for drivers) with the snowfall we had late last week,” said RCMP spokesman Sgt. Paul Manaigre. “The proper driving techniques are the most important thing.”

While road conditions and crashes snarled the morning commute, a school bus and tractor-trailer collided at the Trans-Canada Highway and Provincial Road 334 in Headingley at about 7:45 a.m.

Manaigre said the southbound bus was approaching the Trans-Canada when the driver attempted to stop at the traffic lights.

He said the vehicle slid into the intersection and was struck by a westbound tractor-trailer, which jack-knifed while its driver attempted to avoid a collision.

The bus was taking six students to Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, said Supt. Jenness Moffatt.

Moffatt said the students and driver were shaken up but not seriously injured.

The students waited at the nearby Bright Beginnings child care centre until they were picked up and taken to school or home.

Manaigre said it’s too early to say if charges will be considered.

The semi-truck driver, employed by Canada Cartage, was shaken up but otherwise OK, said Dave Zavitz, chief administrative officer of the Mississauga, Ont.,-based company.

He said the collision was recorded by the truck’s dashboard camera, which showed the truck driver had a green light and was going the speed limit when he entered the intersection.

“When the bus pulled into the intersection, he was able to pull the truck to the right… so it wasn’t a direct contact on the bus,” said Zavitz. “Kudos to the driver for taking the evasive action that he could.”

A Canada Cartage manager in Winnipeg told him the road conditions in and around Winnipeg are icy but “pretty typical” for winter.

An ambulance and a STARS air ambulance were sent to the scene just west of Winnipeg, but no one was taken to hospital.

“When the bus pulled into the intersection, he was able to pull the truck to the right… so it wasn’t a direct contact on the bus. Kudos to the driver for taking the evasive action that he could.”–Dave Zavitz

Provincial staff sanded the intersection Wednesday morning, prior to the collision, a spokesperson for the province said.

The province is responsible for the Trans-Canada and PR 334, which becomes a municipal road (Mantary Road) on the north side of the intersection. Mantary Road is managed by the Rural Municipality of Headingley.

Headingley resident Ken Bell said he’s very cautious when he approaches a green light at the junction, because he’s seen drivers go through red lights.

“When I come to the (lights), I look both ways,” he said, adding the intersection’s turning lanes sometimes become rutted in winter.

He said the RM usually does a lot of sanding and a good job of maintaining municipal roads.

The government spokesperson said Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure staff regularly patrol provincial highways and roads, and address issues as needed.

People can report concerns about snow or ice on provincial roads in the capital region by calling 204-346-6266 or emailing HOCapitalRegion@gov.mb.ca.

RCMP officers were also looking into a seven-vehicle pileup at the Perimeter Highway and Henderson Highway on Wednesday morning.

Multiple crashes led to delays for commuters within Winnipeg city limits. Traffic signals were knocked down in a collision at Nairn Avenue and Watt Street.

City of Winnipeg spokeswoman Julie Horbal Dooley said crews were sanding trouble spots observed by staff or reported to 311 by residents.

Crews have wrapped up the major clearing operation launched after last week’s snowstorm.

“We continue to monitor conditions across the city and do additional clearing where necessary,” Horbal Dooley wrote in an email.

Winnipeg’s winter route parking ban resumes at 2 a.m. Thursday. The residential parking ban ended Wednesday.

Crews will return and do some additional clearing in residential areas over the coming days.

The RCMP and Winnipeg Police Service urged drivers to slow down, leave room between vehicles in case of a sudden stop or skid, and give themselves extra time to get to their destinations.

“We just know that collisions can easily be avoided and we have to suit our driving to the road conditions,” said WPS spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen.

Collisions will increase if drivers fail to do so, he added.

“It’s just slowing down and being patient, and giving more time to get from point A to point B,” said Michalyshen.

Manaigre said winter tires are recommended if people can afford them, but they’re not “a magic cure-all,” because vehicles with winter tires can also slide on ice.

— with files from Katrina Clarke

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca