Woman Killed in Five-Vehicle Collision on Highway 1 Near Lake Louise

A woman has died following a five-vehicle collision on Highway 1 near Lake Louise on Saturday, Nov. 7, as icy road conditions created dangerous driving conditions throughout Banff National Park.

In an interview with Bow Valley Insider, RCMP Const. Lindsay Grant confirmed the collision involved four commercial vehicles and one SUV.

Police received a call about the collision at approximately 11:40 a.m. Saturday.

The female driver of the SUV died as a result of the crash, Grant confirmed.

The collision forced the closure of eastbound lanes of Highway 1 between Highway 93 and Lake Louise. The highway reopened in all directions by approximately 12:26 p.m., according to RCMP.

Grant said poor winter driving conditions were reported in the area at the time of the collision, with black ice creating hazards for motorists.

"Due to the changing weather, this time of year with winter obviously on its way and high winds," Grant said. "Yesterday there were lots of reports of black ice on that road."

RCMP had warned motorists that road conditions were extremely icy throughout Banff National Park, extending west toward the B.C. border.

While the circumstances surrounding the collision have not been fully detailed, Grant emphasized the importance of preparing for rapidly changing road conditions in the mountains.

"We just really want to encourage anybody that's driving in the Banff National Park area to always just be aware of quickly changing weather conditions," she said.

She also encouraged motorists to carry emergency equipment and prepare for possible delays or highway closures during winter travel.

The RCMP advises drivers to reduce their speed according to road conditions, allow extra travel time and ensure their vehicles are properly equipped and maintained.

Grant also thanked motorists for their patience during highway closures, particularly when emergency crews need access to collision scenes.

"We know it can be frustrating when traffic is slowed or stopped, but we appreciate when traffic's being diverted or slowed for people's patience and understanding," she said.

RCMP have not provided further details about the deceased or whether anyone else was injured.

Motorists travelling through Banff National Park can check Alberta 511 for current highway conditions, closures and travel advisories.