A vehicle headed south on an icy Highway 59 bridge lost control early Wednesday, causing a chain reaction of collisions that ensnared 19 vehicles and killed a 55-year-old man from Tyndall.
Selkirk RCMP and responders from nearby fire departments and ambulance services raced to the bridge, immediately south of Springhill Winter Sports Park in the Rural Municipality of East St. Paul, just northeast of Winnipeg, at about 6:30 a.m.
When RCMP arrived, they began rerouting vehicles to avoid further collisions, then officers located the man dead on the road.
RCMP spokeswoman Michelle Lissel said investigators are still trying to determine which vehicle was the victim’s and whether he was thrown from it in the collision or got out on his own.
Other drivers were treated for minor injuries. RCMP believe icy road conditions played a role in the collision.
Investigators are asking anyone who was travelling on the highway, north or south, between 6:30 and 7 a.m., particularly those who have dash-cam video, to call the Selkirk detachment at 204-482-1222.
A forensic collision reconstruction specialist is assisting the detachment with the investigation.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca