Two people were killed during an early-morning accident near Olds on Highway 2 Sunday, Sept. 7.
Police say the accident occurred at about 5:30 a.m. when the car hit a semi-trailer.
The male driver and female passenger of the car died at the scene. So far, there's no word on what happened to the driver of the semi.
Police say the car was northbound at the time and slammed into the rear of the semi, which was stopped at the side of the highway.
At the time this story was uploaded, the cause of the crash had not been released.
Meanwhile, police and ambulance crews say they're very grateful for all the help they received as they dealt with another accident -- a multi-vehicle pileup that occurred on Highway 2 between Olds and Didsbury on Aug. 29 at about 8:15 p.m.
The Innisfail Integrated Traffic Unit, Fire / Rescue and EMS responded.
Eight people were injured and sent to hospital in Olds and Calgary. All were treated and released.
Police say the accident appears to have been caused after two SUVs stopped on the shoulder of the northbound left lane, possibly because one had a mechanical problem.
“A northbound minivan clipped the rear SUV before colliding with the second stationary SUV at highway speed, pushing this SUV down into the median,” police say. “The minivan deflected to the right and struck an enclosed utility trailer being pulled by a pickup in the right lane. The minivan came to rest blocking the left lane.”
The female passenger of the SUV had to be extricated from the vehicle by Fire / Rescue. She and the female driver were transported to the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary by ambulance.
All six occupants of the minivan – a man, woman and four boys age four to nine -- were transported by ambulance technicians to Olds Hospital and Care Centre.
“Speed, alcohol and road conditions do not appear to be factors in the collision. All occupants appear to have been wearing seatbelts, or to be riding in the proper child seats. Air bags were also deployed as designed,” police say.
For about two hours, northbound traffic on Highway 2 was diverted onto an adjacent gravel road to ensure everyone's safety.
Several people stopped to assist the injured before emergency crews arrived on-scene.
“Attending members would like to especially thank those that stopped at the collision scene to assist the injured prior to the arrival of emergency responders,” police say. “Also they stuck around and provided contact information for statements after the soaking rainstorm hit.”
