A devastating multi-vehicle collision on Calgary's Stoney Trail late Sunday night has claimed four lives and sent four others to hospital, prompting a major investigation by Calgary police into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene just north of 90th Avenue S.W. around 11 p.m. after receiving reports of a vehicle travelling the wrong direction on the busy commuter corridor.
How the Crash Unfolded
According to Calgary police, a 30-year-old man driving a southbound Mercedes-Benz was operating the vehicle in the wrong lane when it collided head-on with a Subaru carrying a single occupant — a 43-year-old driver. The Mercedes was carrying a woman and child in its passenger seats.
"Following the impact, both vehicles caught fire," Calgary police stated in a release. "A Chevrolet Equinox operated by a 52-year-old woman then struck the Mercedes-Benz."
All three occupants of the Mercedes-Benz — the driver, passenger, and child — were pronounced dead at the scene. The Subaru driver also died from injuries sustained in the collision.
Additional Casualties and Hospital Transfers
The driver and three passengers in the Chevrolet Equinox were transported to hospital following the crash. One of those injured sustained what police describe as life-altering but non-life-threatening injuries. The conditions of the other three passengers have not been disclosed.
Firefighters Battle Intense Blazes
Calgary Fire Department crews arrived to find two of the three vehicles fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters initiated what the department called "an aggressive fire attack" while simultaneously searching vehicles and providing emergency medical care to survivors they could reach.
"Crews immediately initiated an aggressive fire attack while simultaneously conducting rapid searches of the involved vehicles and providing emergency care to those who could be reached," the Calgary Fire Department wrote in a statement.
Investigation Underway
Calgary police are investigating impairment and excessive speed as potential contributing factors to the crash. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish a complete timeline of events and determine exactly what led to the Mercedes-Benz travelling in the wrong direction.
The collision represents one of the most serious traffic incidents reported in Calgary in recent months and underscores ongoing safety concerns on Stoney Trail, a major commuter artery serving the city's southwest and southeast communities.
Original reporting by CBC Calgary.