16-year-old hit and killed by truck on QEII

CALGARY – A teenage boy has died after being struck by a pickup truck on the QEII Highway.

It happened in the northbound lanes of Highway 2 near Balzac around 12 a.m. on Tuesday.

RCMP say the 16-year-old Airdrie boy was hit by a Ford F150 as it travelled in the middle lane just north of Highway 566.

Investigators believe the teen’s vehicle had mechanical problems, and say he was wearing dark coloured clothing at the time.

Two employees from STARS Air Ambulance came across the crash shortly after it happened, and performed emergency first aid.

Unfortunately, the victim died at the scene.

“It’s very difficult,” says Cpl. Darrin Turnbull, Airdrie RCMP. “When you’re driving at night you have your headlights on, but they can only see so far, so it’s very important for pedestrians and other road users to be aware of that fact.”

“You’ve got to have light coloured clothing or something reflective if you’re walking along the highway.”

Traffic was diverted onto Highway 566 as police investigated; the highway reopened just over two hours later.

No charges are being considered, as RCMP say neither alcohol nor speed appear to have been factors in the collision.