A 15-year-old triplet from Fort McMurray, the daughter of a deputy fire chief, died in a fiery crash while fleeing the fires Wednesday.
Emily Ryan was the daughter of Cranley Ryan, the deputy fire chief for Saprae Creek in Wood Buffalo.
The Fort McMurray Public School District confirmed Thursday she was a student at Fort McMurray Composite High School.
“Emily Ryan, one of the triplets, died at the scene,” principal Kevin Bergen said in a Facebook post.
“She was a vibrant, engaging member of our student body.”
“We are shocked and saddened. Our prayers and thoughts are with Emily’s family as they deal with this trying situation,” Superintendent Doug Nicholls said.
The triplets’ step-mother posted a photo of the family on her Facebook page with a heartbreaking message.
“No words can be found, just precious memories,” Melonie Matthews-Ryan wrote. “Please pray for our family today. Our hearts are broken.”
Watch below: In the midst of the chaos of the Fort McMurray wildfire situation, a young woman was killed in a horrific crash on a highway being used by evacuees this week. Now, a Fort McMurray radio host who has been sharing updates on the wildfire situation, has shared a letter from his friend whose sister was killed in the Highway 881 crash on Wednesday.
A family friend told Global News the other person killed in the crash was Emily’s 19-year-old cousin.
RCMP said the crash was between an SUV and a tractor trailer unit on Highway 881 at Range Road 94 at Heart Lake First Nation shortly before 3 p.m.
The fire from the crash spread into the trees, which started catching fire.
Watch below: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley comments on the two people who died during the Fort McMurray wild fire evacuation due to a vehicle accident.
The roads in between Fort McMurray and Edmonton were crowded with hundreds of vehicles, including several buses of evacuees.
Global News crews came across several crashes on the highway Wednesday.
Watch below: Although no deaths have been attributed to the massive wildfire burning in Fort McMurray, the same can’t be said for an area highway. Erin Chalmers reports.
*EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published on May 4. It was updated with one victim’s identity.