RCMP say they've shut down the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway near Scott Lake Hill because of a fatal crash involving a van and a semi truck.
Police say that a westbound semi was on the highway when it crossed the centre line into the path of an eastbound minivan.
Five occupants of the van, three adults and two children, were seriously injured in the crash.
Investigators say all the occupants were related to one another, with the vehicle driven by a mother with an elderly couple and two children, aged 14 and 11, as occupants.
Four were taken to hospital by ground ambulances while one, an 86-year-old woman, was flown to Foothills Hospital by STARS Air Ambulance.
She succumbed to her injuries in hospital. She has not been identified.
Sergeant Dave Hardy with the Cochrane Integrated Traffic Unit says they have spoken with the truck driver briefly.
"There was a lane change being made and we have witnesses saying it was making that lane change and it just entered the median and came across the traffic lanes. We have a collision analyst who is on the way to the scene here and will do an in depth investigation."
The two occupants of the semi truck were not injured in the crash, but one was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Both eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway are closed at this time and are expected to remain closed until the investigation is wrapped up.
Police say the closure will remain in place for the next three to four hours.
Traffic is being detoured from Highway 1 to Morley Road, and then onto Highway 1A. Alternate routes to avoid the scene are advised at this time.
