By Nowell Berg

Thanksgiving night turned into a real turkey for three drivers along a stretch of Highway 93/95 north of Wasa.

Kimberley RCMP Sgt. Chris Newel confirmed that RCMP officers attended three separate single vehicle crashes on a two-km stretch of the highway from the Maple Road turn off north to the Wasa Lake Park Drive exit.

The most serious involved a northbound late model North American two-door sports coupe with two occupants. The vehicle hit the slushy snow and slid across the southbound lane and into the ditch. The vehicle rolled several times coming to a stop upside down. This crash was reported around 11 p.m. The occupants sustained “no serious injury” according to Newel, reading from the crash report.

When asked how the injuries could be so minor, Newel said, “when you’re properly belted in you’re okay.”

After the occupants were transported to East Kootenay Regional Hospital, RCMP officers departed. The vehicle was left in the ditch. Sometime later, RCMP received notice the crashed vehicle had burst into flames. Officers raced to the scene to monitor the situation and let the fire burn out. Local neighbours speculated it could have been a spark from the battery.

Earlier at 7 p.m., a gray Lexus SUV slid into the ditch a short distance to the north of the roll over on the same snowy stretch of the highway. There was minimal vehicle damage, however, three occupants were transported to East Kootenay Regional Hospital with minor injuries.

In the third crash, a late model brown Ford pickup truck met the same fate landing in the ditch. It was subsequently hauled out of the ditch and onto the shoulder. The driver escaped serious injury walking away from the dented truck.

Localized weather events can suddenly change road conditions. Cold, snow and ice are on the way. They require different driving styles.

Lead image: This two-door sports coupe burst into flames after the accident scene had been vacated by emergency personnel. Photo by Nowell Berg

e-KNOW

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