Zero visibility from blowing snow and a major accident led to part of the Trans-Canada Highway being closed late this afternoon.

     Five cars and seven semi-trucks were involved in a pile-up accident caused by the white-out conditions on Highway #1 east of Morse at around 4:00pm this afternoon.  RCMP members from Swift Current and Morse, and EMS crews from Swift Current all responded to the scene.

     Brian, who was in one of the vehicles involved, told the SCOL newsroom that the accident started after vehicles stopped on the highway in white-out conditions, and started a chain reaction accident.  He adds that no one was hurt in the accident, but it was quite the scene.

     The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure closed the Trans-Canada from Herbert to Chaplin due to the accident and zero-visibility conditions, and also closed the west-bound lanes of the same highway from Moose Jaw west to Herbert.  According to the Highway Hotline, the road re-opened just after 6:00pm, but travel is not being advised.

     As well, travel is not recommended on highways in the Swift Current area, including Highway #4 north and south of the city, because of white-out conditions.

     For up-to-date road conditions, you can call the Highway Hotline at (888) 335-7623, or visit the road reports link on the Swift Current Online homepage.