National Post (National Edition)
First Nation child dead, 14 people hospitalized
MORLEY, ALTA. •Achildis dead and 14 others were sent to Calgary hospitals from a home on an Alberta reserve Wednesday.
Just after 11:45 a.m., emergency crews were dispatched to the home on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, about 60 kilometres west of Calgary, for reports of two children in medical distress, said Calgary EMS spokesman Stuart Brideaux.
“One of the patients, regrettably, was declared deceased upon arrival,” he said.
The second child was rushed to Alberta Children’s Hospital in serious condition.
Taking note of a number of other potential patients in the home, Stoney Nakoda EMS requested additional ambulances be sent to assist.
Brideaux said paramedics dealt with 15 people at the home including the dead child. In total, 14 people — 13 children and one adult — were taken to hospital. The children ranged in age from four months old to 17.
The relationship between the 15 individuals has not been determined.
They’ve been transported to Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, which sources tell Postmedia has been placed on a mass casualty incident alert. They’re described to be in stable condition.
Brideaux said all of the victims were from the same residence, and there was no evidence of trauma or a violent episode.
While he didn’t elaborate on the nature or cause of their medical distress, sources tell Postmedia an undetermined respiratory condition is responsible rather than a toxic substance or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Late Wednesday, EMS said in a tweet that the patients had “influenza-like symptoms.”
Speaking to Postmedia outside of the home, a family member described all of the victims as siblings, and that the deceased child was an infant.
“At this time, EMS is working to sort out the potential origin of the circumstances,” Brideaux said. “It seems to be of a medical nature.”