BOWDEN - A horrific early morning semi-truck collision on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway at Bowden has claimed the lives of two Calgarians, one of them a Good Samaritan who stopped to help a stricken truck driver.
"It is pretty sad circumstances here when you have a Good Samaritan killed on the highway," said Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk.
The Good Samaritan has been identified as Heather McAsey Anderson, a married mother of two daughters and sister of Calgary firefighter Brian McAsey. The second Calgarian, a truck driver killed in the crash, has not yet been identified.
"My sister had driven my niece home to Edmonton and was headed home when she stopped to help just before 2 a.m.," said brother Brian in a Facebook post. "She leaves behind two daughters and a husband. Love you Heather - I'm so proud of the way you lived and died."
The tragic accident, by the curve of the highway near the Fas Gas, was first reported to RCMP at about 1:40 a.m. on Dec. 29.
Matechuk said RCMP were dispatched at that time to the scene where two semi-trailer trucks were in the ditch on the west side of the QEII.
He said the RCMP investigation revealed that one semi, which was travelling northbound on the QEII, had somehow crossed the median, taking out the barrier and cables, and ended up in the west ditch by the highway's southbound lanes.
Shortly after, a Good Samaritan pulled over to help the stricken driver. The pair were then outside the truck when a second southbound semi ran into the debris from the first collision and was forced to crash into the same ditch -- striking both people who were outside their vehicles, said Matechuk.
He said both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Southbound lanes were closed for several hours while police investigated the crash, said Matechuk.
"We can only make an assumption at this time, but all we can say right now is that road conditions, speed or alcohol were not factors in this accident," said Matechuk several hours after the crash.
"Our scene (investigation) is done and the highway is open."
The RCMP investigation into the fatal collision continues.
Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk
"It is pretty sad circumstances here when you have a Good Samaritan killed on the highway."
