Multi vehicle pile up on Highway 3 near Fernie
By Nelson Daily Staff
Within a short span of approximately 20 minutes Saturday morning, RCMP in the Elk Valley region west of Fernie responded to three separate vehicle roll overs, a vehicle in a ditch and an 11-car collision.
Shortly after 10 a.m., police responded to the report of a multi-vehicle accident on Highway 3 just West of Fernie. They were already responding to two separate vehicle roll overs and a truck in the ditch when the multi-vehicle accident occurred involving 11 vehicles including a coach bus.
Officers from the Elk Valley RCMP detachment and the Southeast District Traffic Services Unit were on scene within minutes. The investigation revealed that several vehicles had come around the slight corner and had to brake hard on a very slippery highway which caused a domino effect.
The highway was shut down from both directions until flagging crews could attend to manage the traffic flow.
BC Ambulance and Fernie Fire Rescue also attended the scene. Approximately 20 people were taken to hospital where they were examined and released with no serious injuries.
At this point, charges are not being considered as slippery roads appear to have been the main causal factor for these accidents.
A fourth vehicle roll over near the Elko tunnel was also reported around the same time of the multi-vehicle collision. Police are urging the public to drive cautiously during these winter months when the road conditions are icy and slippery.
