Boy killed, another toddler injured after southeast crash

CALGARY- A terrible crash between a truck and a semi on Wednesday evening killed a toddler and left another injured.

It happened just after 5 p.m. on Glenmore Trail near the Deerfoot Trail overpass. Police say a pickup truck was heading eastbound when it lost control, drove across the median and collided with an oncoming semi in the westbound lane.

The female driver, a woman in her 30’s, was not seriously injured, but two boys buckled into car seats inside the truck were badly hurt.

One, believed to be between one and two-years-old, was rushed to hospital in critical, life-threatening condition. He died of his injuries a short time later.

The other, believed to be between three and four-years-old was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition.

Emergency crews say despite rushing towards the crash, there was nothing they could do to save the boy’s life.

“In this case every effort was made, there were no delays fortunately,” says Stuart Brideaux from EMS. “Regrettably, that did not change the outcome but we know that we did the absolute best that we could.”

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Those who were at the scene say it was heartbreaking, especially since it’s the holiday season.

“I mean, it’s one week before Christmas and to hear that there’s been a fatality in this accident is very upsetting,” said Ted Kelly, who was at a nearby store when the crash happened.

A number of roadways were shut down as a result, and police also temporarily closed streets to help the ambulances get to hospital faster.

So far there is no word what led to the crash, but Calgary roads are in poor condition due to the snowfall. There was also a pile of snow accumulated next to the guardrail that the truck drove through, creating somewhat of a ramp.

Police tell Global News that they suspect that may have played a role in the collision.