Icy conditions blamed for fatal collision

CALGARY – A fatal crash on the Trans-Canada Highway that backed up traffic for hours Thursday was likely caused by road ice, police say.

Cochrane RCMP Sgt. Audrey Robinson said the collision shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday near Highway 68 is still under investigation.

“Minutes before this fatal accident, we did have another vehicle that lost control on the same stretch of road,” said Robinson.

An ambulance from Cochrane, with a paramedic and emergency medical technician on board, was finishing up at the first incident when they witnessed the fatal collision.

Police say a married couple from Fort Macleod was en route to British Columbia when their SUV went out of control and into oncoming traffic. They initially missed any other vehicles, but after the SUV came to a stop, the 72-year-old driver inadvertently hit the gas pedal and drove across the road twice before colliding with a sheriffs’ prisoner transport van.

At the time, the EMT was trying to help the SUV’s driver. He had to jump clear.

The 69-year-old female passenger from the SUV was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver is in stable condition in hospital.

The two sheriffs in the van were treated and released Thursday,

Charges are not expected, Robinson said. The name of the woman will not be released.