Police release details on fiery, fatal bus crash in Calgary

Police release details on fiery, fatal bus crash in Calgary

Crash occurred in Calgary's Saddle Ridge neighbourhood on Thursday

Calgary police released more details on Friday about a fiery bus crash and explosion that resulted in three deaths.

Just after 1 p.m. on Thursday, a collision involving a Calgary transit bus in the city’s northeast Saddle Ridge neighbourhood led to a fire. Three people were declared dead at the scene, and 16 were injured.

The bus was travelling north in the 800 block of Saddletowne Circle N.E., toward 80th Avenue, near the neighbourhood's fire station. Police said they believe the bus struck a truck driving in the same direction. The truck then entered an adjacent lane, sideswiped an SUV and struck the rear of a box truck.

Meanwhile, the bus continued north and struck the rear of a sedan, pushing the car through the intersection, where it hit a truck. The bus then struck the rear of another transit bus, which continued forward itself before hitting another sedan.

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During the collision between the two buses, the natural gas tanks on the second bus ignited. Police said the fire intensified within seconds, leading to an explosion and a significant fire inside the bus.

Police found three passengers dead on the second bus. All three have since been identified, police added, and their next of kin have been notified.

The driver of the first bus was transported to hospital with life-altering injuries. The driver of the second bus was able to exit the vehicle.

At least 3 dead in fiery crash involving 2 Calgary city buses, other vehicles

Overall, 10 people were transported to hospital via ambulance after the crash, with one in life-threatening condition. One police officer is recovering at home from minor injuries.

Police said the other drivers in the collision were either uninjured or sustained minor injuries.

It’s too early to determine whether impairment, speed or distraction contributed to the collision, police said, but each factor remains under investigation.

Andrew Jeffrey is a multimedia journalist with CBC Calgary. He previously worked for CBC News in his hometown of Edmonton, reported for the StarMetro Calgary, and worked as an editor for Toronto-based magazines Strategy and Realscreen. You can reach him at andrew.jeffrey@cbc.ca.