Two people were airlifted to Edmonton-area hospitals following a pair of Jan. 16 collisions.
Westlock RCMP say the first collision happened around 1 p.m. on Highway 18 near Range Road 12 near the Hazel Bluff Hall.
There, police say a westbound van crossed the centerline and collided with an eastbound semi.
Both vehicles careened into opposing ditches and the lone female occupant of the van was trapped. Firefighters from the Town of Westlock and Westlock County extracted her from the vehicle.
STARS Air Ambulance was dispatched to the scene and the woman was airlifted to the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Edmonton with serious injuries.
The driver of the semi was taken to Westlock Healthcare Centre but was later released with no injuries. Police said Friday the woman is in stable condition.
An RCMP investigation is underway, but alcohol, speed and the road conditions are not considered factors.
Later that day, at around 6 p.m., rescue crews from Busby Fire Department responded to a second accident on Highway 44 south.
Police say a vehicle travelling north on Highway 44 towards Pickardville signaled to turn left onto Township Road 584. When it stopped, a second northbound vehicle struck it from behind.
The male driver of the second vehicle had to be extracted and was airlifted to a hospital in Edmonton by STARS with non-life-threatening injuries — he has since been released.
That accident is still also under investigation, but alcohol and road conditions have been ruled out as factors.
Following the back-to-back accidents, Westlock RCMP Staff Sgt. Dwayne Rawson offered a warning to motorists passing emergency scenes.
“It’s very frustrating,” said Rawson.
“On Highway 18, there was debris strewn all over the place and yet people felt the need to drive through it. People were driving around the two ambulances and the workers before we were able to get people out there to stop traffic.
“People need to use common sense when they see something like that. Pull to the side of the road, put your four-ways on and wait to be diverted.
“Otherwise you’re putting emergency workers at risk.”
He added that driving through an debris-strewn emergency scene can lead to a damaged tire, which could lead to another emergency.
“People are better off pulling over and waiting for emergency services to advise them on the situation.”
