BIGHORN/CANMORE – Emergency services in the Bow Valley are dealing with a motor vehicle collision along the 1A Highway and a gas leak at the busiest intersection in Canmore.
Canmore Fire-Rescue and Exshaw Fire responded to the collision Thursday afternoon (Sept. 10) at approximately 2 p.m. Shortly afterward a gas leak was reported at the intersection of Bow Valley Trail and Benchlands Trail in Canmore.
Canmore RCMP Sgt. Stan Andronyk said traffic is being diverted while firefighters deal with the situation.
"We recommend traffic take a different route for now and to stay away from that area," he said.
After responding to Gap Lake for an #MVC, crews from Station-1 have now responded for a gas leak at the A&W junction on Bow Valley Trail.
— Canmore Fire Rescue (@CanmoreFireRes) September 10, 2020
Canmore Fire-Rescue Chief Walter Gahler said at 4:30 p.m. that ATCO Gas is on scene and estimated at least 45 minutes to an hour until it might be possible to reopen the intersection.
"Unfortunately there is no safe way to let anybody through there," Gahler said. "We have controlled access to the scene and evacuated relevant buildings to prevent the risk of explosion."
He said the gas leak, which is related to contstruction activity at the interesection, is venting into the atmosphere, "which is a good thing."
UPDATE
According to Andronyk, the collision involved a truck and trailer hauling a construction roller heading westbound then the roller came off the trailer.
It struck two vehicles travelling eastbound. One had minor damage to the read fender, but the driver of the second had to be removed by firefighters due to substantial damage.
That driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries according to RCMP. The collision is under investigation.
Gahler said at 6 p.m. that ATCO continues to assess the situation and it is possible the intersection could remain closed for several hours.
The road reopened at 7:30 p.m. to traffic.
–This story will be updated as more information becomes available
