A multi-vehicle crash in Ruotsinpyhtää, near Loviisa in East Uusimaa, left two people dead and an unknown number hurt. The crash took place on Highway 7 around 3 pm on Sunday.
In Tuusula, north of Helsinki, a head-on collision also claimed two lives, those of a young man and a middle-aged woman. Two other people were injured. The crash occurred when one car slid into the oncoming lane of traffic on a slippery, snow-covered road, Nahkelantie.
There were other accidents on Highway 7 in Loviisa and Porvoo in the early evening. Crashes were also reported on Sunday afternoon and evening in Vantaa, Espoo, Nurmijärvi, Järvenpää and Vihti, as well as in the south-western towns of Salo and Sauvo.
Worse to Come?
Police warn that roads may be more dangerous than they appear. For instance Highway 6 between Kouvola and Lappeenranta in the south-east appeared dry but was actually covered in a sheet of ice. Snow billowing and drifting in high winds also made driving more treacherous. About 20 centimeters of new snow fell in many areas.
Road authorities warn that conditions could be even worse on Monday in much of southern and central Finland, with more snow on the way. Roads are expected to be poor or extremely hazardous in Uusimaa, south-western Finland, eastern Finland and the Häme region.
Fire and rescue officials were also kept busy on Sunday in the Helsinki region dealing with wind damage. High winds tore off parts of roofs, branches from trees and large advertising banners.
