Six people were injured in a serious collision involving a truck and two other cars on Highway 63 at the 18-kilometre marker at approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday, according to Boyle RCMP.
A southbound semi tractor trailer lost control on Highway 63 north of the Highway 55/855 junction. According to initial witness reports, a semi tractor trailer lost control while applying brakes, crossed into oncoming traffic and struck two northbound cars.
The driver of one car suffered "serious but non life-threatening injuries," according to Boyle RCMP Cpl. John Spaans in a media release.
The second vehicle, containing four occupants, burst into flames. Its occupants were assisted by nearby construction workers.
"Nearby construction workers witnessed the collision and rendered assistance to the injured parties in the burning vehicle," said Spaans.
"All four occupants were removed from the car and given first aid before the vehicle became fully engulfed," he said.
STARS Air Ambulance reported via Twitter at 8:59 p.m. Monday evening that "STAR-3 (Edmonton) has been dispatched for a scene call emergency in the Wandering River, AB area."
Spaans confirmed three of the injured parties were taken to Edmonton hospitals via STARS and fixed-wing aircraft; others were taken to area hospitals, he said.
Highway 63 remained closed in both directions past midnight; traffic was redirected around the collision using an industrial road.
According to 511 Alberta, traffic was blocked off and being rerouted through the Al-Pac road in the area. Road delays was expected to last for "several more hours," as of 10 p.m. Monday evening.
The exact condition of the victims is unknown, but they are believed to be in serious condition.
According to Spaans, an RCMP collision analyst was on scene late into the evening as investigators worked to determine the cause of the collision.
