Three people have died, and 10 others are injured after a bus crash and subsequent fire in Calgary’s northeast.
According to Calgary police, emergency crews responded to a call in the 800 block of Saddletowne Circle NE after a reported vehicle fire.
CPS said that as of 3:15 p.m., they could confirm the 10 injuries and three deaths. One person has sustained life-altering injuries, and another has serious injuries. At a later news conference, CPS said eight vehicles were involved. The total number of people injured was 19, with 10 taken to hospital, according to Emergency Health Services.
A CPS member was among the injured.
On Friday, Calgary police released a more detailed account of what they believe happened.
According to police, a transit bus was travelling northbound in the 800 block of Saddletowne Circle NE near 80 Avenue when it hit a truck travelling in the same direction. The truck entered the adjacent lane and sideswiped an SUV before hitting the rear of a box truck.
The bus continued northbound and hit the back of a car, pushing the vehicle into the intersection at 80 Avenue NE. That car hit another truck before both came to rest.
The initial bus continued northbound and hit a second Calgary Transit bus and travelled for a short distance before coming to a stop. During that collision, the natural gas tanks on the second bus ignited and then exploded.
The three passengers who died were in the second bus. They have all been identified, and next of kin have been notified, police said.
Calgary police don’t know yet if impairment, speed or distraction were factors in the crash. All factors remain under investigation.
Calgary Transit director Sharon Fleming has confirmed on Thursday that two buses were involved in the chain of crashes near the Saddletowne LRT station.
“Our priority is the safety and care of the passengers and operators involved in the collision, and our sympathies are with those affected by this incident,” she said.
“Calgary Police Service is currently investigating the matter, and Calgary Transit will also investigate as soon as we are able to determine the cause and understand what safety measures we may need to implement in the future.”
She confirmed these were regular in-service buses that were operating with passengers on board.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Twelve Calgary Fire Department units were on scene to handle multiple aspect, along with the fire on the bus.
The CFD technical rescue team helped free the driver from one of the buses. Their hazardous materials specialists also worked with Calgary Transit to confirm the natural gas system had been safely vented and there was no further risk to emergency crews.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas also responded on Thursday to news of the incident.
“I want to repeat our deepest sympathies for those individuals and their families impacted by today’s very shocking incident on Calgary Transit,” he said.
“I want to say especially a thank you to our first responders, including Calgary Police and Fire, who are attending. It’s our commitment to continue to share new information as we hear about it from the ongoing investigation and emergency response.”
More details are expected at a media availability later Thursday.
