Two people were killed in a collision on Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta., on Friday afternoon, according to EMS.
EMS confirmed paramedics were dispatched to the scene of a crash near Bassano just after 4 p.m. The crash involved at least two vehicles.
RCMP said Saturday that an SUV was heading east on Highway 1 and collided with a car crossing Highway 1 to turn west. The car ended up in the ditch, police said.
The two people in the car, a 71-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman of Medicine Hat, were declared dead at the scene, RCMP said.
The 56-year-old man driving the SUV was not injured but his two passengers had minor injuries, police said. A 53-year-old woman was taken to Bassano Health Centre and a 15-year-old girl was taken to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, RCMP said.
Drivers on the roadway were being told to expect major delays due to the crash.
Bassano RCMP said the crash scene was located at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 847.
“Traffic is down to one lane in each direction and the RCMP are requesting that motorists travel slowly and cautiously while passing emergency vehicles,” police said in a news release issued shortly after 6:30 p.m.
“Traffic is expected to remain slowed in the area for several hours.”
RCMP did not say what caused the crash but noted an investigation was underway.
RCMP said Saturday that alcohol wasn’t a factor.
Nicole Bjornson witnessed the crash, which she described as “scary.”
She told Global News she was driving on Highway 1 beside a white vehicle that was trying to turn left across Highway 1 when a semi-truck turning into a gas station blocked the view of an oncoming red vehicle.
“There was a big explosion,” she said. “There was nothing anyone could do.
“The opposite of the side of the highway came to a complete stop… We all got out of our vehicles to run (but) I didn’t go anywhere.”
Bjornson said she called 911. She said emergency officials showed up about five minutes after the crash happened.
“It was crazy,” she said. “People were running to the vehicles to try to get people out and see if they were alive.
“It was complete chaos — people everywhere, people screaming.”
– With files from Global News’ Kaylen Small
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