Edmonton police are asking drivers to avoid the area of 111 Avenue and Groat Road Wednesday afternoon as they investigate a serious collision.
Photos taken by a Global News crew at the scene show what appears to be a dump truck on top of a smaller vehicle in the intersection. The smaller vehicle had flipped over and a number of paramedics and firefighters were on scene tending to those involved.
“We have a collision between a large vehicle — a dump truck — and an SUV,” EPS Insp. Ray Akbar said.
“Luckily, there were no serious injuries as a result of the collision. However, traffic will be disrupted here for at least a couple of hours.”
Akbar said a large dump truck travelling west on 111 Avenue collided with an SUV.
“It does look fairly serious. However, it’s a testament to the safety of these vehicles that the occupants of the SUV were not seriously injured. They have been extracted from the vehicle and are currently receiving medical attention.”
While an investigation is ongoing, police said they believe “an SUV exited the Westmount Mall parking lot and attempted to turn into the westbound lanes of 111 Avenue at Groat Road, when a dump truck already travelling westbound on 111 Avenue struck the SUV.”
“The SUV was pinned under the dump truck as a result of the collision, with the female driver inside.”
Police said the driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries.
No charges have been laid.
As of 12:30 p.m., the lights at that intersection were also out, creating “major traffic issues and congestion,” police said.
The lights were turned off for traffic control purposes, police explained later.
Fluid was also spilled, Akbar said. Motorists were asked to avoid the area and expect delays.
Edmonton police didn’t provide a time estimate for when the collision may be cleaned up and traffic could start moving freely again.
Shortly before 5 p.m, police issued a reminder to Edmontonians to try to avoid the area during their rush-hour commute because “heavy traffic congestion is expected.”
“EPCOR remains on scene at the intersection of 111 Avenue and Groat Road to attend to the traffic lights,” police said.
–With files from Global News’ Phil Heidenreich
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