Hwy 9 just north of Yorkton became a scene of dual tragedies last week as two people lost their lives in two separate collisions.
On Wednesday, approximately five kilometres outside the city, a southbound minivan attempting to pass another vehicle lost control and collided with a northbound pickup truck killing one of the occupants of the minivan and sending the other to hospital in Regina.
The driver of the truck sustained minor injuries and was treated at Yorkton Regional Health Centre. The highway was closed for several hours while police investigated. No names or other details of the crash have been released, but winter conditions existed on the road at the time.
Two days later, under better road conditions, a southbound car drifted into the oncoming lane and collided with a northbound tractor-trailer.
A 59-year-old male passenger in the car was ejected despite having been wearing a seatbelt. He died at the scene. The 30-year-old driver of the vehicle had to be extricated by firefighters using the jaws of life and was airlifted to Regina by air ambulance with multiple fractures to his upper body and extremities.
The semi driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Police said alcohol was not a factor in either of the crashes.
