RCMP Southern Alberta – Weekend Update

On June 3rd, 2016 at approximately 9:30pm Crowsnest Pass RCMP, Fire, and EMS responded to a single quad rollover in the forest area north of Coleman, Alberta. The quad was being operated with two people on it when it lost control and rolled down an embankment. The female passenger sustained minor injuries while the male driver died as a result of the rollover. The identities of those involved is not being released at this time as police make attempts to notify the next of kin. Police are continuing to investigate the matter, alcohol is believed to be a factor.

June 4th at 12:57pm, Cochrane RCMP, EMS and Kananaskis Emergency Services where called to the McLean Creek Area for a single off-highway vehicle rollover. A father and 14 year old son, where operating a side by side when it rolled injuring the father and critically injuring the son. Due to the terrain Kananaskis Emergency Service personnel had to be long-lined into the area and after all efforts, the 14 year old was pronounced at the scene. Father and son where both wearing helmets and speed and alcohol are not believed to be a factor. RCMP and the Calgary Medical examiner’s office will be conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. The names of those involved will not be released.

On June 4th, 2016 at approximately 9:00pm the Vulcan RCMP were called to a collision. At the intersection of Hwy 23 and Hwy 529,  2 kilometres north of Champion, AB.

An eastbound motorcycle on Hwy 529, driven by a 22 year old male from Okotoks, AB failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the rear end  of a passing pickup truck that was hauling a boat.

The 22 year old male driver of the motorcycle died as a result of the collision.

The pickup truck driver and two passengers in the truck were not physically hurt by the collision.

Speed is believed to be a factor in this collision.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.

On June 6, 2016 at about 10:25pm Olds RCMP received a report of over-due travellers on the Little Red Deer River.  A party of three, a male and two females, from Olds, launched onto the river at 5:30 PM near the intersection of TWP 766 and Range Road 32.  The party intended to float to the Red Lodge camping area and estimated it would take about two hours.  A waiting relative grew concerned when the party were over due by 3 hours.

Attempts to locate the party by using limited points with access from area roads to the river proved to be unsuccessful.  Olds Search and Rescue Society were called and attended the area to assist with efforts that could be safely conducted at night.

Calgary Police Service HAWKS 2 helicopter was requested to assist.  At 1:50 A.M The HAWKS 2 crew reported they had located the individuals.  Given the location the party was located, HAWKS 2 landed and subsequently transported each member to awaiting RCMP and EMS personnel.  A female in her fifties was treated by EMS for mild hypothermia. No member of the party was injured or hospitalized.

The distance the party would have had to cover was about 8.5 km as a direct route.  Given the meandering nature of the river it effectively doubled the perceived distance to travel.  At the time of rescue the temperature in Olds was about 10 degrees Celsius with 11 km hour winds.  The river is currently slow flowing and has about 6 inches of water requiring one to walk in many areas.  The public is reminded to plan and prepare appropriately for excursions.