Woman killed after multi-vehicle collision during Friday storm

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This article was published 18/01/2025 (577 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 30-year-old woman was killed at the scene of a multi-vehicle collision during blizzard conditions Friday.

Oakbank RCMP said the Winnipeg resident, who wasn’t identified, was driving one of seven vehicles involved in a collision near Fermor Avenue and Symington Road at about 9:45 a.m.

RCMP said the collision is still under investigation, but it is believed the woman died after exiting her vehicle and being struck by another vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The deceased was located in the eastbound lane,” an RCMP spokeswoman said Saturday, adding she didn’t know which direction the woman was driving at the time.

“When we have whiteout conditions, and roads are very icy, the actions of other vehicles are unpredictable… we have seen incidents before where people are injured or killed when exiting their vehicle after a collision. I believe the advice is to stay with the vehicle unless, of course, your life depends on you exiting the vehicle.”

RCMP said no other serious injuries were reported in the multi-vehicle collision, which happened about two hours before the province issued an emergency alert Friday warning motorists to stay off all highways in southern Manitoba. The winter storm led to numerous collisions.

RCMP estimated at least 50 crashes had happened, while the Winnipeg Police Service said dozens of vehicles were involved in collisions on the eastbound lanes of the south Perimeter Highway.

Health Sciences Centre alerted staff members that a possible “code orange” could be issued, which would mean a sudden influx of patients would be coming. An actual “code orange” was issued by Ste. Anne Hospital and the Bethesda Regional Health Centre after a multi-vehicle collision occurred near Ste. Anne.

The storm, which brought strong winds with gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour, eased through Friday afternoon.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca