A catastrophic chain-reaction collision involving eight vehicles and two city transit buses left three people dead and 19 others injured in Calgary’s Saddle Ridge neighborhood on Thursday afternoon.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene near Saddle Ridge Circle and 80th Avenue shortly after 1:10 p.m. following reports of a severe vehicle collision and bus fire.
Police believe the incident began when a northbound transit bus struck a white car. The force of the impact pushed the white vehicle into a black car and a cube van.
The moving bus continued down the road and broadsided a second bus parked at a static bus stop. The impact shoved the stationary bus across the street, where it collided with three additional vehicles.
The parked bus contained 13 passengers at the time of the crash. Following the impact, a severe fire erupted at the rear of the stationary bus.
A liquid natural gas fuel system on the bus reportedly contributed to a subsequent explosion as a bystander approached to help. The good Samaritan sustained minor injuries.
First responders confronted a scene of total destruction. Calgary Fire Department crews deployed 12 emergency units, including specialized hazardous materials teams, to extinguish the blaze and secure the natural gas tanks.
Firefighters successfully extricated the driver of the parked bus, who suffered severe injuries.
Alberta Emergency Health Services confirmed 19 individuals were involved in the crash. Three victims died at the scene, while paramedics rushed 10 patients to area hospitals by ambulance, including one person in life-threatening condition.
Five walking wounded patients were transported to the hospital via a city bus for further evaluation, and one responding police officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators from the Calgary Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit are gathering video footage from neighboring businesses and police station cameras nearby.
Authorities expect the intersection at Saddle Ridge Circle and 80th Avenue to remain closed until at least 10:00 p.m. as the complex investigation continues.
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