Crash kills sisters on way home for holidays
Two triplets dead in Alberta road accident
• Two 19- yearold triplet sisters were killed in a crash as they drove home for Christmas.
Zara Chambers was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision with a parked tow truck on Highway 63 near Mariana Lake, about 95 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, at 10:30 on Saturday morning. Her sister, Bridget Chambers, was flown to an Edmonton-area hospital but died of her injuries Monday night.
Police say the women’s vehicle struck the tow truck from behind.
The cause is still under investigation but at the time road conditions were poor, with snow and slush covering ice following overnight freezing rain.
“They were the sweetest girls ever,” said Brooklyn Cassell, a friend of the sisters since middle school. “They were bubbly and everything about them was so positive. There was no negative energy around them.”
The sisters were originally from Rocky Mountain House, Alta., and were studying at Keyano College in Fort McMurray. They were heading back home from Fort McMurray for the holidays; the third triplet sister is a student at the University of Calgary.
Both women were in their second year at the college, with Bridget Chambers — a forward with the Keyano Huskies soccer team — studying business administration and Zara Chambers — also a forward with the team — studying for a Bachelor of Arts program.
“They loved sports. All they talked about was soccer,” said Cassell. “Sports just played a daily part of their life.”
Friends are planning a candlelight vigil Thursday at West Central High School in Rocky Mountain House, according to a website post.
A statement from Keyano College says a mental health team is providing trauma counselling to students and staff. Flags at the school are at half-mast.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts and sympathies are with their family and friends,” said Greg Bennett, spokesman for the college, in the statement. “We will do whatever we can to support our students, faculty and staff during this difficult time.”