Investigation says semi-tractor struck maintenance vehicle from behind on north side of Lea Park Bridge

The RCMP investigation into a recent accident in the County of Vermilion River says a south bound semi-tractor struck the maintenance vehicle from behind.

According to Police, “On Dec. 1, at 1:10 p.m., Kitscoty RCMP, RCMP Collision Reconstructionist, Fire and EMS responded to a two vehicle collision on Highway 897 on the north side of Lea Park Bridge in the County of Vermilion River.”

The investigation revealed that a road maintenance crew was pulled over to the shoulder of the road of the south bound lane while cleaning posts and signs. A south bound semi-tractor unit struck the maintenance vehicle from behind. The vehicles came to rest on the bridge resulting in both lanes of travel being affected by emergency crews involved in the extrication, investigation and cleanup of the scene. Weather and road conditions were clear at the time of the collision.

Two occupants in the maintenance vehicle were trapped inside and were extricated by fire crews. The occupants sustained non-life threatening injuries. The driver, a 72-year-old, male was transported by ground ambulance to local hospital while a 50-year-old male passenger was transported by STARS air ambulance to a hospital in Edmonton. The driver of the semi was not physically injured.

Traffic was diverted for approximately six hours while the investigation and clean up were completed. Kitscoty RCMP would like to thank the public for their patience understanding.

Kitscoty RCMP and the RCMP Collision Reconstructionist continue to investigate the cause of the collision. No further information is available at this time.