Road conditions blamed for 2 deaths on Manitoba highway

A couple from the Hanover area of rural Manitoba died Saturday morning in a highway crash that police say was likely due to poor road conditions.

A storm is sweeping Manitoba and travel, especially in rural areas, has been challenging.

Police say the crash involved two vehicles travelling on Highway 52 in the rural municipality of La Broquerie, east of Steinbach. They were called at 11:55 a.m. CT.

A westbound Chevrolet Trailblazer with two occupants collided with an eastbound Honda Civic also carrying two people, RCMP said.

The people in the Honda died in the crash. They were identified by police as David Dik, 38, and his wife Elisabeth Dik, 35.

The people in the Trailblazer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were rushed to Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach.

Police said that speed and alcohol were not factors but noted both victims were not wearing their seatbelts.

Highway 52 between Steinbach and La Broquerie was closed during the investigation but has since re-opened.

The community of La Broquerie is about 70 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.