FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – One of two people killed on an icy highway in northern Alberta Tuesday was an armoured car guard.
A G4S armoured vehicle collided head-on with a pickup truck on Highway 63 Tuesday morning, while on a routine trip between Edmonton and Fort McMurray.
The driver of the pickup was also killed.
Katie McLeod, a spokeswoman with G4S in Toronto, said a second security guard inside the armoured vehicle was not seriously injured. He was treated and released from hospital.
McLeod issued a statement to Global News about the crash:
“G4S Canada is grieving the loss of one of our employees who sadly passed away following a motor vehicle accident on Highway 63 outside of Fort McMurray. Rod Whalen had been a G4S employee for over 15 years. He was a cherished member of our team. Another employee on board the vehicle at the time of the accident was injured but has since been released from hospital.
“On behalf of the entire Company, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Rod’s family, friends and colleagues. G4S is currently providing support to Rod’s family, as well as to our employees.”
Counselling is being made available for co-workers at the company’s Edmonton office, she said, adding it’s the second time in two years that they have been in mourning.
Three G4S guards were shot and killed by a fellow crew member in June 2012 as they were reloading ATM machines at the University of Alberta. Another guard who was shot in the head survived.
Travis Baumgartner, 22, is serving life in prison with no chance at parole for 40 years.
“To have both horrible instances occur within the same office is just doubly tragic,” said McLeod.
“In this industry, it’s very much a team environment, so even though we’re across the country, everybody feels as a member of the team.”
She identified Rod Whalen, 60, as the employee who died in the crash. He had been with the company for more than 15 years, had three daughters and was engaged to be married.
McLeod said she was surprised someone riding inside an armoured vehicle could have received fatal injuries. The vehicles are sturdily constructed – built like tanks, she said.
RCMP described the road as icy at the time of the crash.
Highway 63, the main link between Edmonton and the oilsands region, has become notorious for fatal crashes in recent years.
The provincial government is working to twin the highway in the hope of making it safer.
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