Blast of winter weather contributes to rock falls and vehicle sides in Provo Canyon

PROVO, Utah — As a blast of winter weather hit the Wasatch Front Thursday, Provo Canyon experienced several weather-related issues, from rock falls to vehicle slides. The first major issues began around noon on state Route 92 as heavy wet snow began to build on the roadway. About two miles from state Route 198, a red vehicle slid off the road and landed on its side in the North Fork Provo River. The female driver was rescued uninjured. Around the same time, a pickup truck carrying three young adults slid off the road and rolled into the river, landing on its roof, according to North Fork Fire Chief Dave Marsella. The three were also rescued and uninjured. As emergency responders were pulling people and vehicles from the river, which is about 6 inches to a foot deep this time of year, two more vehicles were involved in weather-related crashes in the canyon. Chief Marsella compared the conditions to an ice rink, which is one reason crews closed the road until plows could clear the canyon. By 3:15 p.m., the road was reopened, and skiers were finally able to make the trek to Sundance. Not far from state Route 92, a different crew was dealing with another issue in Provo Canyon. Around 2:00 p.m., U.S. 189 closed after car-sized boulders fell from an area not far from Bridal Veil Falls, landing on the road. UDOT closed the roadway while crews cleared the debris. UHP said no vehicles were hit or damaged due to the slide, and the road was reopened around 2:25 p.m.

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