Three dead after fiery Calgary transit bus crash

Three people died and at least 10 others were injured Thursday after two Calgary Transit buses collided and caught fire in the city’s northeast, Calgary police said.

Emergency crews were called just after 1 p.m. to a vehicle fire involving a City of Calgary bus in the 800 block of Saddletowne Circle N.E., near the Saddletowne CTrain station, Global News reported. Police said one person suffered life-altering injuries and another was seriously hurt. A Calgary Police Service officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

At a later news conference, police said eight vehicles were involved and 19 people were injured, while Emergency Health Services said 10 people were taken to hospital, LiveWire Calgary reported. Twelve Calgary Fire Department units responded.

Images from the scene showed flames and thick black smoke pouring from the roof of one bus and the front of another. Calgary Transit director Sharon Fleming said both were regular in-service buses carrying passengers.

“Our priority is the safety and care of the passengers and operators involved in the collision,” Fleming said.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas offered condolences on behalf of the city. “I want to repeat our deepest sympathies for those individuals and their families,” he said, and thanked police and firefighters for their response.

The cause of the crash and fire is under investigation by Calgary police. Calgary Transit said it will also investigate to determine what happened and whether any safety changes are needed. The names of the people who died have not been released.

Police closed the intersection of Saddletowne Circle and 80 Avenue N.E. around 1:30 p.m. and said all access to Saddletowne Circle would remain closed for a significant period. Drivers are asked to avoid the area, and transit riders should check Calgary Transit for detours.

This is a developing story and will be updated as police release more information.

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