Hanna RCMP is still working to determine the cause of a crash on Highway 36 that killed three children and sent their parents to hospital.
Emergency crews were called to the scene of the two vehicle crash just before 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
Early reports say an SUV was westbound on Highway 570 when it struck a transport truck that was southbound on Highway 36.
Police say the transport truck was able to stop just after the intersection while the SUV was thrown off the road and hit a fence.
Three occupants of the SUV, a 16-year-old girl, 11-year-old boy and 11-month-old girl were all killed instantly.
The 44-year-old father was taken to hospital in Brooks while the mother, 32, was airlifted to the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary by STARS Air Ambulance. The father was taken to Foothills later on.
They are both listed in stable condition and are expected to recover.
RCMP confirms that the family was visiting the province from Washington state.
"This is an absolutely tragic event for that family," said RCMP Corporal Laurel Scott.
Scott says the American consulate has been contacted about the situation, but the investigation will be conducted by Canadian authorities.
"We had a collision analyst on scene yesterday so he does a very comprehensive investigation and he will do a report."
The driver of the semi was taken by ground ambulance to the Hanna Health Centre in stable, non-life threatening condition.
Police are still working to determine the cause of the crash but say it has been difficult for everyone involved, including first responders.
"I spoke to the members on scene last night and of course they're devastated, but they're devastated for the family and I think the important message I have is that while it's hard on our officers, we know it's a real tragedy for the family, for their friends, for their community," Scott said.
Drivers in the area spoke to CTV Calgary on Thursday morning and said that the intersection is very dangerous and something needs to be done to fix it.
"This is a terrible corner. It has killed a lot of people. They've discussed what to do but no one will make a decision, but it has to be considered," said Karen Gordon.
Gordon says the highway is a beautiful stretch of road leading from Saskatchewan and drivers often go very fast coming from the east.
"They don't realize there is a stop sign and there is a highway here. This highway carries a lot of truck traffic; huge truck traffic. I guess they don't see the little stop sign or don't read the little signs coming up to it to make it more visible for people."
Gordon says that two women were killed earlier this year at the same location but there have been many more.
She hopes that this recent crash, with the death of three children, will be enough to make something change.
The names of the victims have not been released.
