After a string of accidents on Monday, emergency responders urged everyone to stay aware.

Captain Kirk Mitchell, with Altoona Fire Department, said within ten minutes rain can turn into snow, causing scary driving conditions.

Just after 6 p.m. on Monday, Mitchell said a Nanty Glo ambulance truck was taking a patient to the hospital in Altoona.

While the vehicle was going through the intersection at 7th St. and 7th Ave., he said a van crashed into it.

Mitchell said the paramedic and the driver of the van had minor injuries.

Mitchell said with the combination of snow and ice it’s important to slow down.

“People just need to pay attention, take a little more time to get where they’re going,” Mitchell said.

While he was helping clean up, Chief Denny Walls, with Geeseytown Fire Department, was responding to a car that crashed into the Little Juniata River.

He said the driver, James King, 50, wasn’t speeding, but he was going too fast for the weather conditions.

“I ask everybody to slow down, use extreme caution, there could be isolated ice spots,” Walls said.

According to police, King was charged with careless driving.

Walls said considering the slick roads, it’s crucial to have total control, even if that means going below the speed limit.

King was getting out of his car while he waited for crews but Walls says it’s a dangerous situation to be in especially this time of year.

“This cold water, it’ll take the life right out of you and you may not make it to shore, then we’re making a recovery not a rescue,” Walls said.

On the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Allegheny Township, Somerset County, near mile marker 124, traffic was backed up for hours after a car hauler jack-knifed on the roadway, blocking the eastbound lanes.

That incident happened around 2:30 p.m., but everything was cleared just before 5 p.m..

There were no injuries reported.

Mitchell said the goal is to stay safe and keep things slow and steady.

“Tap the breaks gently once or twice and make sure you have traction,” Mitchell said.