Investigation into fatal Saddle Ridge bus fire continues as police share new information

A bus crash that killed three people and injured 16 others on Thursday unravelled after the transit vehicle rammed a truck, which then led to a series of events that spiralled into the tragedy.

New details have emerged with the Calgary Police Service confirming the unfolding of the accident.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:10 p.m. shortly before a City of Calgary transit bus, travelling northbound in the 800 block of Saddletowne Circle N.E., neared the intersection of 80th Avenue N.E.

Police say the bus crashed into a truck, which soon slipped into an adjacent lane and scraped against an SUV before striking the rear of a box truck. Meanwhile, the bus leapt forward, hitting the back of a sedan and dragging it through the intersection.

The sedan collided with another truck, and both eventually came to a stop. The bus, however, continued north and hit the back of another transit bus, pushing the vehicle for a while until the latter smashed into a sedan.

The accident ignited the second bus’s natural gas tanks that exploded into flames inside the vehicle. Three people in the died in that bus.

Police say the driver of the second bus was able to get out of the vehicle, while the driver of the first bus was transported to hospital with life-altering injuries. Other drivers impacted by the crash were either uninjured or suffered minor injuries. So far, 16 people, including an officer, have been injured following the crash.

“At this time, it is too early to determine whether impairment, speed or distraction contributed to the collision,” Calgary police said in a statement. “All possible factors remain under investigation.”

On Thursday, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583 president Mike Mahar said he had never heard of such an accident before.

“It’s shocking, the level of tragedy . . . I don’t recall a bus burning like that,” he said

“We’re very concerned for our operators and the families affected by this.”

The bus that caught fire was powered by compressed natural gas. It’s one of 246 CNG buses in the city’s fleet, according to Calgary Transit’s website.

The transit agency stated that its staff will be working closely with the investigators to “understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and will conduct a review of our CNG operations to ensure any additional safety measures required are put in place.”

Mayor Farkas committed to a full investigation into the incident on Thursday before shifting his focus on the families of the victims.

“On behalf of the City of Calgary, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died,” Mayor Jeromy Farkas said. “To those who have been injured, we’re thinking of you and hoping for your recovery.”

Sean Stamboltas, who lives near the crash scene, said he was walking to work when he saw smoke from the crash.

“It was a little bit of chaos,” he said. “When I arrived, vehicles were backing up down the street and police were just showing up to close the road down.”

— With files from Devon Dekuyper and Daniel Gonzalez

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