Six taken to hospital following school bus rollover northeast of Didsbury

Emergency Medical Services says all six had non-life-threatening injuries.

Didsbury RCMP advise that Highway 2A, between Township Road 320 and 314, is now passable.

Meantime, Alberta RCMP Traffic are advising of poor road conditions on the QEII Highway and area roadways surrounding Leduc. Officers are responding to numerous collisions on the QEII. Please ensure to take extra precautions when travelling or consider avoiding travel due to icy roads and blowing snow.

UPDATE: 1:40 p.m.

Didsbury RCMP advise that they are still on scene at the bus rollover.

At this time, Mounties can report that there were nine students, two teachers and the driver on the bus at the time of collision. According to police, five of those on the bus were transported to various hospitals via ground ambulance for a range of injuries, some considered serious, but not life threatening.

RCMP say road conditions at the time are believed to be the cause of the collision, however, it is still under investigation.

It is expected that the road will be closed for 3-4 hours. Please avoid the area.

UPDATE: Oct. 23, 12:00 p.m.

On Oct. 23, at 10:21 a.m., a Didsbury RCMP officer came across a school bus rollover on Highway 2A at Township Road 320.

Mounties say the bus contained numerous students. The extent of injuries, however, is unknown at this time.

At this time, this portion of Highway 2A, between Township Road 320 and 314, is closed. Traffic cannot get through the area. Please take an alternate route.

Police say an update will be sent when more information becomes available.

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Innisfail RCMP advise that road conditions are extremely poor between Carstairs and Olds, on the QE 11.

Officers say they are responding to numerous collisions (potentially 12) on this portion of the Highway.

Please avoid the area.

Meantime, with the first snowfall of the season overnight and into the morning, Leduc RCMP are reminding motorists to use extra caution on the roads and drive to the conditions.

“Some drivers are unprepared for the annual transition from the dry pavement of summer to winter driving conditions that can include snow and slush covered highways, black ice and blizzards,” said Constable Cheri-Lee Smith, Leduc RCMP Public Information Officer. “This first snowfall is a reminder and an opportunity to get prepared for winter driving, which means preparing our vehicles and adjusting our driving.”

Whether you’re driving or just preparing for the winter season, please consider these road safety tips.

Tips for driving:

Keep your headlights on all the time
Ensure your vehicle is in a safe mechanical condition
Never use cruise control in winter conditions
It is not recommended to travel in winter conditions if your vehicle is equipped with summer tires
On a wet or slick surface, allow yourself at least three times the normal following distance to stop
Remember that bridge decks may be slippery even when other parts of the highway are not

Keep an emergency road kit in your vehicle, with the following supplies:

blanket or sleeping bag
extra clothing and footwear
emergency non-perishable food
candle in a deep tin
waterproof matches
first aid kit
flashlight with extra batteries
fire extinguisher
booster cables
ice scraper
snow brush
paper towels or rags
road map
compass
sand, road salt or kitty litter
shovel

Officers also recommend motorists have a fully charged cell phone on hand for emergencies.

(With files from The Canadian Press)

by rdnewsNOW staff

Six taken to hospital following school bus rollover northeast of Didsbury

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