LETHBRIDGE – A Lethbridge man has died after his vehicle collided with a front-end loader on Whoop-Up Drive Friday afternoon.
It was around 3:30 p.m. when the 72-year-old was heading west on Whoop-Up Drive. His dark blue minivan then hit a front-end loader that was clearing snow along the busy road.
The man was pulled from the van by Fire and Emergency Services and rushed to Chinook Regional Hospital. He was supposed to be airlifted by STARS Air Ambulance, but his the extent of his injuries were too severe to transport him.
He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police said he died late Friday night.
The driver of the loader was not injured.
“We don’t believe speed or alcohol were factors in the collision,” said Sgt. Wade Davidson with Lethbridge Regional Police. “However, environmental conditions, given the time of year, the water on the road and the sun, they may play into the cause of the collision.”
The westbound lane of Whoop-Up Drive was closed for up to five hours following the accident, moving traffic to Highway 3. This caused major delays for those heading home to the west side.
“With this type of investigation where it’s a serious collision, the road closure is necessary for us to investigate it properly,” explained Davidson. “We ask drivers to be patient with the detours and temporarily having to go around the scene, We regret the inconvenience, but it is necessary.”
Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
The victim’s name is not being released at this time.
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