CALGARY – Northbound lanes of Deerfoot Trail at 17th Avenue S.E. were reopened just in time for the commute home, after an early morning crash that killed a worker.
Two large semi-trailers were transporting a crane around 5:30 a.m., with one pulling a trailer with the crane on board, while another tractor-trailer was attached to the back as a ‘push truck.’ The combined weight of the vehicles was approximately 150,000 kilograms.
As the load passed under the 17 Avenue overpass, the trailer began to rock, breaking the chain holding down the crane. The push truck flipped, and the cab hit the back of the trailer, killing the 39-year-old driver.
The company which owns and operates the transports units, Whissell Contracting Ltd., has released a statement on the crash, saying “Presently, our thoughts and prayers are with the driver’s family and their tragic loss.
Currently we are dealing with grief counselors for his family and our staff. We respectfully request that you allow us some privacy to deal with this tragedy.”
All northbound lanes of Deerfoot Trail were blocked at 17th Avenue S.E. for the investigation, causing massive traffic backups. It reopened around 4:30 p.m.
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