AUTHORITIES URGE CAUTION
DURING MORNING TRAVEL

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLN COUNTY -- The biggest enemy during early morning travel across Lincoln County Tuesday wasn't heavy traffic or weather; it's what Mother Nature left behind after rains fell Monday.

The extremely cold temperatures have caused what's left on the roadway to freeze, leaving black ice in some places.

As of about 7:30 a.m., several accidents across Lincoln have been reported. On Highway 73 at the new Highway 16, black ice caused an SUV to spin out of control, hitting the guardrail near the bridge. In Crouse, a woman lost control of her vehicle and struck a tree.

The woman in the latter accident was pinned in her vehicle and, according to radio traffic, suffered visible injuries. Crouse Road is reportedly completely blocked according to officials at the scene.

The victim is only identified as a 20 year old male and a chopper is flying from Med Center Air.

Emeregency personnel are having to cautiously respond to incidents due to the black ice.

Two accidents have also been reported on Forney Hill Road as of around 7:40 a.m., both located near one another.

Radio traffic indicates portions of Shoal Road and Crouse Road are under a solid sheet of ice, while icy patches are reported along Highways 73 and 16, as well as East Main Street in Lincolnton and Business 321 towards Maiden.

Schools in the mountains remain closed due to wintery weather Tuesday.