Members of the Boyle RCMP and Wood Buffalo RCMP detachments, along with other emergency crews, are on the scene of what they’re calling a “horrific motor vehicle collision” between two pick-up trucks on Highway 63 at kilometre marker 88.
The RCMP has confirmed that the head-on collision has resulted in six fatalities, with three more people seriously or critically injured. The injured have been airlifted to Edmonton-area hospitals.
Information on the deceased is not yet available. The injured include a 34 year-old male, a teenage girl and a young boy. Further information on their injuries is not currently available.
Though information is still being gathered, preliminary reports indicate that a northbound pick-up truck, carrying three occupants, pulled out to pass another vehicle, and then collided with a southbound pick-up truck that was carrying six occupants.
The impact of the collision resulted in a significant fire. Two of the deceased were in the northbound truck with the injured teen, who was pulled from the burning truck by passersby before emergency crews arrived.
The highway remains shutdown until further notice so that the investigation can continue. The RCMP is currently estimating that the highway will not re-open for at least another five hours, and traffic continues to be re-routed to Secondary Highway 881.
The RCMP is reminding motorists to be careful when driving south of Fort McMurray as road and weather conditions are still unfavourable.
Watch www.athabascaadvocate.com for more information as it becomes available.
