Man dies after being hit by ambulance

A 67-year-old man is dead after he was struck by an ambulance on Highway 2, just north of Gateway Park, early Friday.

Edmonton police were dispatched to the northbound lanes of the highway, the main throughway into the city, at about 4:40 a.m.

Police say the initial investigation suggests the man was attempting to cross the road when he was hit.

Traffic was described as light at the time.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene and was covered with a pink blanket as police investigated.

Police say they are in the process of contacting the man’s next of kin.

The ambulance, operated by Advanced Paramedic Ltd., was transporting a patient at the time, but was not in “emergency mode.”

The ambulance’s lights and siren were not activated, said police spokesman Sgt. Steve Sharpe.

No one inside the ambulance was injured.

APL provides ground ambulance service and transport for patients from the Edmonton International Airport to facilities throughout the capital region.

Police say neither speed nor alcohol are considered factors in the crash.

The northbound lanes were closed to traffic for several hours and were reopened at about 8:30 a.m.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen the pedestrian or who witnessed the collision to contact them at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.

Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.