Pedestrians were slipping and sliding across the Helsinki region on Thursday morning, as surfaces turned treacherous thanks to ice formation and fresh snow.
Helsinki city councillor Pekka Sauri (Green) had his own dice with the ice on Thursday morning. The capital city resident and former deputy city manager posted a personal public service announcement on X.
"I just slipped three times in the 50 meter distance, luckily I stayed upright," he said, urging drivers to also take care on the roads.
Indeed, capital region hospitals reported a spike in emergency room visits in the morning, making Thursday the most dangerous day of the year so far in terms of falling injuries.
Around a hundred people had sought treatment at Uusimaa hospitals after falling on the ice, said Chief HUS physician Kimmo Suojanen shortly after 11am.
Most patients were of working age, with many suffering injuries on their way to work.
Medical staff kept busy at Meilahti ED
At Helsinki's main hospital, HUS Meilahti, the emergency department was crowded with patients who have taken a fall, according to Pasi Randen, assistant chief physician at Emergency Medicine and Services.
Between around 8-10am Thursday, 22 fall victims arrived for treatment at the hospital for treatment.
Randen warned of dangerous, slippery conditions under the fresh snow cover.
"The streets have been icy. Since then, there has been freezing snow on them and that is perhaps the worst combination," he said.
Fresh snow adds to the already slippery conditions and also conceals the underlying terrain.
Meilahti's emergency room services patients from all over the capital region.
"Patients have fractures in the wrists, ankle fractures, head injuries such as wounds and concussions, femoral neck fractures and other leg fractures, and shoulder injuries," said Randen.
"If there is no misalignment in the wrist, fingers or limbs, you can ask for advice on the phone number 116 117."
The Finnish Meteorological Institute warns of very slippery sidewalks in the southern parts of the country.
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