Update: Highway 101 is reopened between Exits 11 and 14 at 10:55 a.m.
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A half a dozen accidents have prompted police to shut down Highway 101 between Exits 11 and 14.
Const. Blair MacMurtery says a couple of the crashes were "fairly serious" and one crash required the Lifeflight Helicopter to be called in for assistance.
Right now, there's no word on how long the highway will remain closed, he added.
"I don't know what the prognosis is," he said. "We'll open as soon as the salt gets working, but the temperatures are so cold it's an issue."
The roads may look good, he said, but a slick of ice has formed in many areas, creating hazzardous conditions. The Kings County RCMP are warning drivers to take precautions.
"Absolutely slow down," MacMurtery said. "Slow down everywhere. The temperatures are so cold the salt isn't working well and while we haven't had a lot of snow, it's stuck down and created a slick surface."
MacMurtery is suggesting drivers leave a lot of room between them and the next vehicle and stay off the roads if possible.
Starting at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Kings District RCMP responded to several motor vehicle collisions on Hwy 101 between exits 11 and 14. The highway has since been closed in both directions. Traffic is being re-routed onto Route 1. New Minas Fire Department, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal and EHS are assisting at the scene.
The preliminary investigation has determined that approximately seven different collisions occurred. There have been some injuries reported as well as damaged vehicles. Road conditions were slippery at the time.
Check back at www.kingscountynews.ca for more updates as they become available.
