Retired highway worker says Carberry intersection has been dangerous for decades
Posted August 1, 2023 6:01 pm.
The intersection that saw Manitoba’s worst mass casualty tragedy, is once again the site of a serious highway collision. A multi-vehicle crash sending three people to hospital with what appears to be serious injuries.
RCMP were called out on Monday at 4:45 p.m., officers say a preliminary investigation found a pick-up truck driving southbound on Highway 5 entered the intersection at Highway 1, colliding with an eastbound SUV.
The force of the impact pushing the two vehicles across the highway, into a third vehicle waiting at a stop sign on the other side of Highway 1.
RCMP saying it understands the most recent crash is “extraordinarily upsetting” for many, given the recent June 15th collision between a mini-bus and semi-truck at the same intersection that resulted in the deaths of 17 seniors.
“It was the same, there was accidents there way back,” Clayton Muirhead, worked with Manitoba Highways for more than 30 years.
85-year-old Clayton Muirhead, who worked with Manitoba Highways for more than 30 years, says the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 5, where two serious crashes have taken place in the last 50 days, has always been dangerous and action should have been taken long ago. (Supplied: Clayton Muirhead)
According to Muirhead the intersection has always been dangerous.
“There’s been an awful lot of accidents there — unreal,” explained Muirhead. “They don’t seem to really get serious about it, until something really bad happens.”
The retired Highways supervisor and life-long Carberry resident says there was always talk of studies and reviews — similar to the one underway by the province now — but no action has been taken.
“They need to put an overpass or something there, but it’s got to be done. They can’t just keep doing studies, because they’ve been doing studies as long as I can remember.”
An investigation is underway into Monday’s crash.
“This is very early in this investigation, and we need to do our work to confirm information and determine what happened. We will provide updates as soon as we are able. We urge anyone who is triggered by this incident to seek appropriate supports,” said RCMP in a statement.
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Lexie Sutherland drove by the incident on her way back from Saskatoon. She believes safety should have already been addressed at the intersection, saying no crossing should see to two serious crashes “back-to-back.”
“All I could think about pulling up to the crash site, was that could have been us,” said Sutherland.
“I’ve driven that highway many times. Since I was a baby, we’ve been travelling back and forth from Saskatoon to Winnipeg, because we’ve had family here all my life … but now that these incidents have happened so close together, anything can happen and it’s really scary.”
Lexis Sutherland, drove by the crash scene at Highway 1 and Highway 5 on July 31, 2023 with her infant daughter and she says the recent incidents have put her on edge while driving a stretch of highway she knows well. (Screenshot/Zoom)
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure says the recent collision is deeply concerning and that “a road safety strategy” is already underway following the June 15th crash.
The province says the interim safety additions will be put in place immediately while other, long-term solutions will be considered following the investigations into both incidents.
But for those who have been familiar with the stretch for more than 60 years, they say real action is needed now.
“They can’t keep doing studies, studies and studies,” said Muirhead.
