Communities in the Northwest near the Alberta border are in shock and mourning over the deaths of six teens in an early morning collision Saturday.
The RCMP confirmed Saturday afternoon that six people - three females and three males - were killed after a collision between a northbound semi tanker truck and a two-door passenger car at the intersection of Township Road 490 and Highway 17, about six kilometres southeast of Lloydminster.
The deceased are: Aimee Candace Elizabeth Hurley, 14, of Lloydminster; Mackenzie Moen, 14, of Lloydminster; Naomi Salas-Schafer, 13, of Lloydminster; Kristopher Tavener, 17, of Marshall; Tarren Attfield, 15, of Lashburn; and Jayden Boettcher, 15, of Lashburn.
The driver of the semi was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries.
The tanker truck was hauling crude oil at the time of the accident, which occurred at about 4:20 a.m.
According to police, Maidstone RCMP were dispatched to the scene of a reported semi rollover. When they arrived they discovered another vehicle was involved in the collision.
RCMP members and a reconstructionist were called to the scene to investigate and roads in the area were closed for a time on Saturday.
By afternoon, RCMP were able to release further details about the incident. They confirmed all of the six victims were travelling in an eastbound car along Township Road 490 that ended up submerged in a slough near the intersection.
In addition to the RCMP, assisting with the accident scene by afternoon were Lloydminster and Britannia Wilton Fire departments and the EMS from Maidstone.
The town of Marshall sent a message from Mayor Eileen MacKay on the tragedy. It reads, "We are deeply sorry for what has happened in our community yesterday. There are no words to express our condolences to the families who have lost their children. We only hope to pull together as a community in this time of need. There are likely few people in this town of 600 who did not know the victims. Marshall is quiet today, most of us reflecting on the young lives lost far too early."
