Highway 22 crash leaves one person dead, five others injured

Fatal collision at junction of Highways 22 and 533
Dame Debbie Webster photo

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Nanton and Foothills Emergency Services and Nanton RCMP were called to the scene of a  collision just before noon yesterday, Friday, August 5. A GMC truck pulling a fifth-wheel trailer southbound on Highway 22 and a westbound Subaru car on Highway 533 collided, resulting in one man being pronounced dead on the scene. Reports indicate he was a passenger in the car. A family of four, reportedly from Okotoks, was in the truck. One adult female, a passenger in the truck, was transported by STARS air ambulance to a Calgary hospital with serious injuries. The other occupant of the car and three other occupants of the truck, including two children, were transported via ground ambulance.


At last report the father and two children from the truck were in stable condition at Alberta Children's Hospital.  The woman, still in serious condition, is at Foothills Hospital. The driver of the car remains in serious condition, also at Foothills hospital.  The two occupants of the car, including the deceased, are reported to be from Calgary.

The intersection is west of Nanton, near Chain Lakes Provincial Park.  Both highways see considerable traffic, particularly on weekends.
Dame Debbie Webster of Chimney Rock Bed and Breakfast was heading north on Highway 22 at approximately noon when she came upon the scene.  "This highway gets so busy, and there are so many blind spots, hills and corners that you cannot see beyond.  You could come across other vehicles, deer, moose, even bear crossing.  This is a tragedy."  Webster said.
Eyewitnesses reported the car ran the stop sign on Highway 533, broadsiding the truck.
Traffic was reduced to one lane for most of the day. Speed or alcohol were not believed to have been factors in the accident.  RCMP are investigating.
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In related news, at least one person died yesterday after a collision on Highway 3 west of Sparwood, B.C. A westbound pickup truck pulling a fifth wheel trailer crashed with an eastbound commercial truck.  The male driver of the pickup was pronounced dead at the scene and his female passenger was reported to be in critical condition.  The driver of the commercial truck was transported to hospital with undetermined injuries.
Highway 3 was closed in the area for several hours while RCMP investigated the incident.
UPDATE: The occupants of the pickup were local residents Gordon and Lily Casey.  Click here for more information.