One person is dead after a midday collision between a CTrain and vehicle that closed a ramp connecting two major roads in Calgary.
“At approximately 11:40 this morning, a vehicle and a CTrain had a collision,” said Calgary Fire Department public information officer Carol Henke.
“The vehicle was pushed along the LRT tracks and down an embankment, landing along some railway lines that run parallel to Deerfoot Trail.”
After securing the scene, firefighters extricated one person from the vehicle, a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu.
Friday afternoon, police confirmed a 79-year-old man was declared dead on the scene.
“It’s my understanding that the gentleman’s wife was with him (in the car),” Sgt. Colin Foster said. “She was taken to hospital for precautionary reasons. And at this time, she’s being looked after by family.”
Henke said passengers on the CTrain were assessed by emergency crews who found there were no injuries to transit riders.
At around noon on Friday, the city’s transportation department shared on social media that the ramp from southbound Deerfoot Trail to eastbound Memorial Drive was closed.
A CTrain was seen stopped on that interchange, with emergency vehicles on the scene.
Calgary police also said that the westbound Memorial Drive ramp to southbound Deerfoot Trail was also closed.
Police advised motorists to use an alternate route and avoid the area.
Calgary Transit said trains on the Blue Line will only serve the outbound sides of stations between Bridgeland and Franklin.
Police ask any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to call them at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers.