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Manitoba RCMP say they responded to two multi-vehicle crashes near Portage la Prairie Friday, as poor driving conditions forced the closure of part of Highway 1 and part of Highway 75.

As of 6:30 p.m., Highway 1 remained closed from Headingley, just west of Winnipeg, to Austin, west of Portage la Prairie, according to the provincial 511 road conditions website.

The City of Portage la Prairie said on its website travellers stranded by storm and highway closure could use the Herman Prior Centre, at 40 Royal Road N, as an emergency shelter.

RCMP said there were a number of collisions in that stretch of the Trans-Canada, including two multi-vehicle crashes near Oakville, east of Portage la Prairie, around 11:20 a.m.

There were collisions in the area in both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada, RCMP said in a mid-afternoon news release.

At least five vehicles, including an RCMP vehicle, were involved in one of the crashes.

A provincial road camera showed vehicles stopped at the intersection of highways 1 and 13 near Oakville just before 3 p.m.

RCMP and emergency services crews took people to hospital, but there were believed to be no serious injuries, RCMP said.

Sgt. Mark Hume told CBC News visibility on the Trans-Canada highway east of Portage la Prairie was largely blocked by blowing snow. 

“It was just completely white out,” he said. 

In those conditions, he said in one collision a vehicle hit another that had stopped. Then other cars, including a police cruiser, were rear-ended, turning into a pileup. 

“It’s a little concerning,” Hume said. “In some cases, people may just need to turn around and go back home.” 

Police said they were working with local fire and ambulance services and tow truck operators at the crash scenes.

Hume said zero visibility from blowing snow creates potentially dangerous conditions for first responders. 

“When we park our vehicles and we’re out on foot trying to either rescue people or direct traffic or medically treat people … we have no idea if a vehicle is going to drive through and hit us,” he said.

Highway 75 remained closed from Morris to the U.S. border Friday afternoon, and Highway 5 was closed from Ochre River to McCreary, according to 511.

Highway 2 was also closed from Highway 100 to Starbuck by Friday evening along with Highway 3 from Carman to Highway 23.