Victims of serious crash east of Calgary identified as sisters from France
RCMP say two victims injured in a horrific crash east of Calgary earlier this week were family members visiting from France.
EMS and Mounties from the Airdrie detachment responded to the collision in the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 564, north of Dalroy, Alta., just after 2 p.m. on June 6.
RCMP say a semi travelling south on Highway 9 hit an SUV that crossed in front of it as it headed east on Highway 564.
The driver of the SUV had to be extricated from the vehicle and was taken to hospital in critical condition by STARS air ambulance, while the lone passenger was taken to hospital by ground ambulance in critical condition.
The driver of the semi truck was not injured.
"The SUV’s 29-year-old driver and 26-year-old passenger remain in critical condition," said RCMP in a Thursday news release. "They are sisters, and residents of France."
In an email to CTV News, a family spokesperson says the victims were unused to Canadian road signs, which are very different than those seen in Europe.
He said the support they've been receiving from family and friends has been a huge help.
"We want to thank the rescue teams, firefighters and ambulances, who made it possible to get the girls out of the car and quickly bring them to foothills hospital," said the family spokesperson in an email, translated from French.
"Marie's uncle was a firefighter from Paris and knows how important it is to get a victim out without aggravating these injuries.
"We also want to thank the teams of the ICU head trauma with the teams of Mr. Couillard. The doctors and nurses are really very attentive and very supportive of the family."
To donate to help the family you can click here.
Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in this collision, RCMP said.
The hamlet of Dalroy is located in Rocky View County, about 20 kilometres east of Calgary.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.