Three people are dead and 19 injured after a vehicle fire in northeast Calgary on Thursday, which police say involved two city buses and six other vehicles.
Officers responded to the 800 block of Saddletowne Circle N.E. just after 1 p.m. for reports of a vehicle fire.
Among the injured, one person has sustained life-altering injuries and at least 19 others were hurt, according to EMS spokesperson Adam Loria, who said 10 people were transported to various hospitals Thursday afternoon.
He described five of the injured as being in non-life-threatening condition. They were cleared at the scene but taken to hospital as a precaution.
A Calgary Police Service member also sustained minor injuries and was transported to hospital.
According to Calgary police Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward, a bus travelling northbound on Saddletowne Circle N.E. collided with a white vehicle, which struck a black vehicle.
Woodward said the white vehicle then collided with a cube van, before continuing into a collision with a second bus.
The force of that caused the second bus to be pushed across the street, where it struck three other vehicles.
“I’ve been a police officer for 36 years, and I think this is probably the biggest (crash) scene I’ve worked on in relation to the collision we’ve got here,” Woodward said.
Calgary Fire Department chief Steve Dongworth said 12 fire trucks responded to the fire shortly after 1 p.m.
He said one of the buses was run on compressed natural gas.
One bus driver was able to get out of the bus immediately, according to transit union president Mike Mahar.
Mahar said the driver of the second bus was trapped and needed to be extricated. He was transported to hospital. His condition is unknown.
All access to Saddletowne Circle was closed throughout the afternoon. Just before 6 p.m., the CPS issued an update, saying that northbound Saddletowne Circle has reopened between Falconbridge Boulevard N.E. and Taravista Drive N.E.
The remainder of Saddletown Circle is still closed.
Calgary mayor Jeromy Farkas expressed his condolences on social media.
“I’m heartbroken by the tragic collision involving two Calgary Transit buses near Saddletowne Station,” Farkas posted. “Three people have died and ten are injured, including a Calgary Police Service member who attended on scene. My deepest condolences to the families grieving. We will provide updates ASAP.”
The city said its natural gas bus fleet will remain in service.
Alberta NDP leader and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi also issued a statement expressing his condolences late Thursday afternoon.
“We are devastated by the reports of a tragic collision and fire in northeast Calgary that took the lives of three people and seriously injured 10,” Nenshi said.
“Our hearts are with the victims, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this horrific incident.
“We are deeply grateful to the emergency responders who intervened and to the many medical professionals who will work tirelessly to care for those injured. I’m praying for a quick and full recovery for everyone injured, including the police officer.
“As investigations continue and more details emerge, there will be time to determine what led to this heartbreaking incident. For now, our thoughts remain with the victims, their loved ones, and the community as it copes with this tragedy.”
