Residents of Linden are in mourning after a horrific traffic collision near Three Hills claimed the life of one of their most beloved residents.
On Friday, September 14, at roughly 6 p.m. a southbound Dodge pickup truck, with four occupants, hauling sod and a bobcat is thought to have suffered a steering malfunction.
The malfunction caused the truck to swerve into the northbound lane and collide with a northbound pickup truck hauling a horse trailer.
Both vehicles burst into flames. One adult male and two children were rescued from the southbound Dodge pickup truck.
According to a statement from the RCMP detachment in Beiseker, witnesses reported the 69-year-old driver of the southbound truck assisted in removing his grandchildren from the vehicle before succumbing to his injuries.
There have been reports that an unidentified bystander aided in removing the children from the burning vehicle.
Attempts to free the grandfather were unsuccessful.
Both occupants of the northbound vehicle died at the scene. Their identities are still under investigation.
One horse being transported in the trailer was killed, while the other is receiving treatment from veterinarians.
The RCMP do not believe speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.
In various reports, the 69-year-old male has been identified as Linden resident Les Toews, though the RCMP have not officially released any names thus far.
Toews, who served as a firefighter for many years, is a grievous loss to the close knit community of Linden. However, some recognize the tragedy could have been much worse.
“Our deepest sympathies go with them, we’re so sorry for everything that’s happened,” said Linden Mayor Darwyn Moon. ‘We lost one of our long time residents, but we could’ve lost more, that part was fortunate at least.”
For now, the surviving victims, two of which are the grandchildren of Toews, are recovering in a hospital in Calgary.