Hinton RCMP-multi vehicle collision - fatality confirmed

On Highway 40 as of 8:30 a.m. Oct. 10 one lane of travel was open and north and southbound traffic alternatied slowly through the area.

At 8:17 p.m. Oct. 9 RCMP responded to what was initially a two vehicle collision on Highway 40, north of Rock Lake. A semi truck and trailer was traveling northbound when the trailer fishtailed behind the truck and both collided with a pickup truck traveling southbound. The pickup truck ended up in the ditch and the semi remained on the highway. A third vehicle hit the debris from the initial collision and other vehicles slid into the ditch.

The 44-year-old male driver of the pick up truck was declared deceased on scene. The male passenger of the truck was transported to an Edmonton hospital. The 37-year-old male driver of the semi truck was transported to a local hospital in Hinton. No other injuries were reported.

At the time of the collision, there was fog in the area, freezing rain and the highway was ice covered.

The Hinton RCMP with the assistance of Grande Cache RCMP and a collision analyst remained through the night to investigate and manage traffic. It is anticipated that traffic control will remain down to one lane through the day as Alberta Environment & Parks, Emergency Response Team will be attending to assess a spill. The investigation into the cause of the collision remains ongoing.