A Calgary Transit bus on Macleod Trail in 2024. File photo: KathrynHatashitaLee / Getty Images
Calgary police are asking anyone who was a passenger on either of the two Calgary Transit buses involved in last week’s fatal crash in Saddle Ridge to come forward, saying several passengers may have left the scene before speaking with investigators.
“It is imperative that we talk to everyone who may have information that could progress our investigation,” Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward of the police traffic section said in a news release on Monday. “We believe that several passengers likely left the scene following the collision without knowing that investigators would like to hear their witness accounts.”
Passengers can call the traffic section at 403-428-4000 or the police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Police say no other details are available while the investigation continues.
What happened
The crash happened at about 1:10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the 800 block of Saddletowne Circle N.E., near 80 Avenue N.E., police say. The area is in Ward 5.
Investigators believe a northbound Calgary Transit bus struck a truck, which then sideswiped an SUV and hit the back of a box truck. The bus kept going, pushed a sedan through the intersection and into another truck, and then hit the back of a second Calgary Transit bus.
The natural gas tanks on the second bus ignited, and that bus rolled forward and hit a sedan. Within seconds, the fire grew into an explosion and a significant fire inside the bus, according to police.
Three passengers on the second bus died. Police say all three have been identified and their next of kin notified. Police have not released their names.
The driver of the first bus was taken to hospital with life-altering injuries.
The driver of the second bus was able to get out.
Sixteen people had minor injuries, including a police officer who is now recovering at home.
Firefighters arrived to find several badly damaged vehicles, multiple injured people, a driver trapped in one bus and the other bus on fire, the Calgary Fire Department says. The department declared a mass casualty incident. Its technical rescue team freed the trapped driver, and firefighters found the three passengers who died while putting out the fire and searching the bus.
Police said last week it was too early to know whether impairment, speed or distraction played a role, and that all possible factors are under investigation. Fire investigators are looking into the origin and cause of the fire, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is investigating the deaths.
An outpouring of support
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583, which represents Calgary Transit operators, said it is “heartbroken by the loss of life and the devastating injuries suffered in this collision,” in a statement on Oct. 16. The union said one operator remained in hospital, and it thanked emergency responders, including a police officer who it said went into the burning bus to help people trapped inside.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas posted on X the afternoon of the crash. His post uses the early injury count; police later put it at 16.
Premier Danielle Smith, on X:
Alberta NDP Leader and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi shared a statement on Bluesky:
The Calgary Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 255, on Bluesky:
How to reach police
Passengers on either bus can call the police traffic section at 403-428-4000. Anyone else with information can call police at 403-266-1234 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, calgarycrimestoppers.org or the P3 Tips app. The case number is CA26474612/5336.
If you need support
Anyone affected by seeing the crash can reach the Calgary Police Victim Assistance Support Team, a free service, at 403-428-8398 or toll-free at 1-888-327-7828. If you’re struggling, you can call or text 9-8-8 at any time. Our Mind and Body page lists more places to get help in Calgary.
