A fiery collision between a Valley Line LRT train and a Tesla car has shut down a major overpass in south Edmonton.
The crash on Tuesday afternoon happened at the 75/66 Street overpass over Whitemud Drive just before 1 p.m.
The Edmonton Police Service said the car was travelling north on 66 Street, approaching the Whitemud Drive overpass, while the LRT was headed in the same direction on the adjacent train tracks.
The Tesla had a red light and was not supposed to turn right, but it proceeded onto the ramp down onto the Whitemud eastbound, turning directly into the path of the train.
The LRT hit the Tesla, causing the electric vehicle to catch on fire as it was dragged alongside the train off the road and onto the grass beside it.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services said crews arrived on scene less than 10 minutes later to find the car on fire.
The vehicle appeared to be destroyed by the impact, and the fire sent thick, black smoke billowing into the sky.
Get breaking National news
Passengers on the train who saw what happened told Global News the driver of the Tesla car had blood on them after the crash.
The driver of the Tesla was taken to hospital by paramedics for precautionary reasons, while the passengers on the train were checked by paramedics and released on scene.
EFRS said the fire was declared out at 2:07 p.m.
Police said the following road closures were in effect for the foreseeable future:
- 66 Street northbound is being diverted onto 41 Avenue
- 75 Street southbound is being diverted onto 51 Avenue
- Both onramps from Whitemud Drive eastbound and westbound onto 66/75 Street are closed
Police said Whitemud Drive eastbound and westbound is unaffected.
- No more free 15 minutes, city facility parking fees being mulled in Edmonton
- South Edmonton rural road used to bypass QEII a rutted, muddy mess: ‘It’s teeth-chattering’
- Police tackle Toronto cyclist after he allegedly blew through stop sign
- New 4-way stop removed after causing traffic nightmare in Maple Crest neighbourhood
The Edmonton Transit Service said Tuesday afternoon there was no estimate for when regular Valley Line train service will resume, but it is anticipated that the bus replacement service may continue into the evening.
Valley Line trains continue to run between Bonnie Doon Station and 102 Street stops, while bus replacement service is running between the Bonnie Doon and Mill Woods stops.
The city said resumption of regular service will be communicated through standard ETS channels such as social media.
No other details on the crash are available.
Global News has reached out to TransEd, which operates the low-floor train line from Mill Woods to downtown, and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
More to come…
This is about the thirtieth time I’ve heard of a car running into the LRT and the first time I’ve heard the make of the car. Why is it relevant that the car was a Tesla?
What will it take for the city? Am Edmonton to install crossing gates intersections?
What, no mention at all of the enviro impact of all this black smoke? Gee, I thought Tesla was supposed to be environmentally friendly 🤣
The car reignited a half dozen times. So no, the fire was not out at 2:07. It continued to reignite for several hours.
Sure, while that intersection has changed to no right turns on red, that doesn’t explain why there’s no lights, bells or crossing arms to let drivers know there’s a train coming. Some folks have been making this right turn on red for decades, that’s a hard habit to break overnight. Zero foresight by our far-left mayor and council.
Wait, where will all the homeless drug addicts hang out while the train is out of service?
Enough. This driver should lose their license and have to take a retest to get it back after a couple of years with an incorruptible examiner
Wait I thought when the train opened the city was confident this would not happen. They told the operator of the train to not hit anything. Edmonton is staffed by the lowest common idiot
Sure hope the driver of the Tesla was charged and I sure hope the city goes after his insurance for the damage of the train car.
“Edmonton Transit Service said Tuesday afternoon there was no estimate for when regular Valley Line train service will resume”
Oh no! The tens of people who ride the LRT might be affected!
Two things I despise the most trying to kill each other. Its a good day!
Another victim of poorly designed infrastructure. Edmonton is so embarrassing.
No mention of all the idiot drivers ignoring barricades and signs and driving the wrong way down 66 st. There will be another accident there mark my words.
How do you drive into a train. The tracks aren’t exactly subtle.