Three Dead in Fiery Calgary Bus Crash; 19 Injured in Chain-Reaction Collision
A devastating crash involving two Calgary Transit buses killed three people and injured 19 others on October 15 after a chain-reaction collision that engulfed one vehicle in flames in the city's northeast.
On Thursday, October 15, a chain-reaction collision in Calgary's northeast neighbourhood of Saddle Ridge resulted in one of the city's deadliest transit incidents in recent memory. At approximately 1 p.m., a northbound Calgary Transit bus lost control on Saddletowne Circle N.E. and collided with a private vehicle, triggering a cascade of impacts involving eight vehicles total. The initial collision prompted the bus to strike a second bus at a stop, resulting in a catastrophic fire that engulfed the first bus's roof.
Three passengers on one of the buses were declared dead at the scene. An additional 19 people were injured, including one with life-threatening injuries, nine transported to hospital in non-life-threatening condition, and others assessed for injuries at the scene. A Calgary Police Service officer also sustained minor injuries while responding.
Investigation and Cause
Calgary Police Staff Sergeant Andy Woodward confirmed that one of the buses was powered by compressed natural gas, a factor that may have influenced the severity of the fire. A hazardous materials unit responded to the scene. Collision reconstruction specialists are investigating the exact sequence of events, with preliminary findings suggesting the natural gas-powered bus may have lost control before striking the second vehicle.
Fire Chief Steve Dongworth described the response to what he characterized as a serious incident, noting that 12 fire units responded and the driver of the second bus required extrication from the wreckage.
What This Means for Newcomers
If you live or work in Calgary and use public transit, this incident underscores the importance of following safety protocols on buses and considering alternative transportation during high-traffic periods. Transit authorities will likely implement enhanced safety reviews, so check Calgary Transit's website for any service updates or route changes. Foreigner residents should familiarize themselves with emergency procedures on public transportation and understand local emergency numbers (911).
Sources
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