Calgary police seek bus passengers who left scene of fatal crash

CALGARY · Calgary police are asking for passengers from two transit buses involved in a deadly crash last week to contact investigators, as they believe several people departed the scene without providing statements. The collision on Oct. 15 in the Saddle Ridge neighbourhood left three people dead and 16 others injured. Authorities say they need to speak with everyone who was aboard either bus to advance their inquiry into the incident. Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward of the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section emphasized the importance of witness accounts in a statement released Monday.

Woodward said investigators think numerous passengers left the area after the crash without realizing police wanted to interview them. "It is imperative that we talk to everyone who may have information that could progress our investigation," Woodward stated. "We believe that several passengers likely left the scene following the collision without knowing that investigators would like to hear their witness accounts." Police urge those passengers to call the traffic section at 403-428-4000 or the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. The crash occurred around 1:10 p.m. on Saddletowne Circle N.E. near 80 Avenue N.E. Police said a northbound Calgary Transit bus struck a truck, which then sideswiped an SUV and hit a box truck. That bus continued forward, pushed a sedan through an intersection into another truck, and then rear-ended a second Calgary Transit bus that was stopped. The natural gas tanks on the second bus ignited, causing a fire that grew into an explosion inside the vehicle within seconds.

Three passengers on the bus that caught fire died at the scene. Police confirmed the deceased have been identified and their families notified. Ten people were taken to hospital by ambulance, with one in life-threatening condition. The driver of the first bus sustained life-altering injuries, while the driver of the second bus was able to exit the vehicle. In total, 16 people suffered minor injuries, including a police officer now recovering at home.

Firefighters arrived to find multiple damaged vehicles, injured people, a trapped bus driver and a bus on fire. The Calgary Fire Department declared a mass casualty incident. Its technical rescue team freed the trapped driver, and crews discovered the three fatalities while extinguishing the blaze and searching the bus. Police said all possible factors, including impairment, speed and distraction, remain under investigation. Fire officials and the medical examiner's office are also probing the fire's cause and the deaths. Anyone affected by witnessing the crash can contact the Victim Assistance Support Team at 403-428-8398 or toll-free at 1-888-327-7828. People with information are asked to call police or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers. The investigation into the cause of the collision continues.

With files from CityNews, CBC News and Calgary Herald