Highway crash kills 2, seriously injures 5 from Stoney Nakoda First Nation

Two people have been killed and five others injured two criticallyin a single-vehicle crash near Cochrane, according to police, who believe alcohol was a factor.

CochraneRCMP closedeastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway in the vicinity ofthe weigh scales nearHermitage Road while they investigated.

The crash involved a passenger van carrying seven adults that was travelling eastbound near the weigh scale around 9 a.m. when it lost control and rolled multiple times, coming to rest in a ditch.

• MORE ALBERTA NEWS |Derek Saretzky, charged in killing of Alberta toddler and father, now accused of slaying senior
• MORE ALBERTA NEWS |Carbon monoxide exposure prompts evacuation in southwest Calgary

"The vehicle made a hard turn to the left and then right, causing it to lose control and enter the meridian between the highway and the weigh scale," said Sgt. Jeff Campbell.

There were varying reports initially as to how many people were ejected from the vehicle but after further investigation, Campbell said five people were thrown from the van, in total.

Two people were pronounced dead on scene: a man and woman, both in their 30s.

The female driver of the van and a male front-seat passenger were both trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated, according to police.

Thatpassengerwas then transported to hospital by ground ambulance in life-threatening condition, whilethe driver was flown by helicopter to hospital in Calgary incritical, life-threatening condition.

The other three injured passengers were listed in serious condition and taken to hospitalby groundambulance.

Campbell said everyone in the van was from Morley, which is part of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.

Krista Hunter, whoseniece was among the injured, said both of the deceased had children, and news of the crash has been "devastating"to the community of roughly 3,000 people.

"Not only for the seven families but for the whole community, it's shocking," she said."It's scary when you lose young people like this."

"We're trying to find ways to come together and cope with it," Hunteradded. "But in our culture, we believe the creator is here and looking after the families."