Head-On Collision Involving Two Vehicles In Calgary Airport Claims 2 Lives, Injures 3

Head-On Collision Involving Two Vehicles Near Calgary Airport Claims 2 Lives, Injures 3

Calgary, Alberta — Tragedy struck near Calgary International Airport late Monday afternoon as a violent head-on collision between two vehicles left two people dead and three others injured. The crash occurred just off Airport Trail NE, a busy route frequently used by travelers and airport staff.

According to the Calgary Police Service (CPS), emergency crews were called to the scene at approximately 4:15 PM after multiple 911 calls reported a severe accident involving two vehicles — a dark-colored sedan and a silver SUV — in the inbound lane toward the airport.

The Collision

Initial investigations suggest that the sedan, heading westbound on Airport Trail, veered into the eastbound lane for unknown reasons and collided head-on with the SUV. The impact was described by witnesses as “devastating,” with both vehicles sustaining extreme front-end damage.

Paramedics from Alberta Health Services were among the first responders on the scene. Despite rapid medical intervention, two occupants of the sedan — a 41-year-old male driver and a 36-year-old female passenger — were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The three occupants of the SUV — a man and woman in their 50s, and a teenage passenger — were rushed to Foothills Medical Centre. As of Tuesday morning, the adult female is reported to be in serious but stable condition, while the other two sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Eyewitness Accounts

Several bystanders who were traveling to or from the airport at the time of the crash described a chaotic scene.

“I was just coming off the off-ramp when I heard a loud bang like an explosion,” said Ahmed Mirza, a taxi driver who was about 100 meters away from the impact. “I saw smoke and debris flying, and people running out of their cars to help. It was terrifying.”

Another witness, Lisa Caldwell, who was driving her daughter to the airport, said, “I saw the car swerving into oncoming traffic. It happened so fast. It didn’t look like a mistake—it looked like something went wrong with the car or the driver lost control.”

Police Investigation Underway

Calgary Police have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Officers from the Traffic Section closed off the area for several hours Monday evening, diverting traffic and collecting evidence.

Sgt. Mark Tilley, speaking at a press conference Tuesday morning, said, “At this stage, we are considering multiple factors, including driver error, mechanical failure, and the possibility of impairment. We are working to reconstruct the events using surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence.”

Toxicology reports for the deceased driver are pending, and police have not ruled out speed or distraction as contributing factors. They are also examining the vehicles’ onboard data systems.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision is urged to contact the Calgary Police Service Traffic Unit.

Community Shock and Grief

The crash has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly among airport workers and regular commuters who frequent the Airport Trail corridor.

“We drive this route daily. To see something like this happen so close to where we work — it really hits hard,” said Megan Walker, an Air Canada ground crew member.

Councillor Raj Dhaliwal, whose ward includes parts of the airport vicinity, expressed condolences on social media: “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of yesterday’s crash. Let’s continue to work together to improve road safety and reduce senseless tragedies like this.”

Ongoing Road Safety Concerns

The incident has renewed calls for increased traffic control measures in and around Calgary International Airport. Airport Trail is known for heavy traffic volumes, especially during peak travel hours. The combination of high speeds, merging lanes, and frequent turns makes the area a hotspot for accidents.

According to Alberta Transportation statistics, collisions on roads surrounding Calgary Airport have risen 14% over the past three years, with several resulting in fatalities or serious injuries.

Road safety advocate Laura Kent from the Calgary Safe Driving Coalition said, “This crash is not an isolated incident. We need to examine road design, signage, and driver behavior more critically. We also urge the city to install additional barriers and look into advanced monitoring technologies.”

A Painful Reminder

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cautious driving. Families traveling to or from the airport, loved ones arriving or saying goodbye — their lives intersect with these roads every day. In an instant, joy can turn to sorrow, and normalcy to chaos.

“People were just going about their day, heading to the airport, picking up relatives, maybe starting a vacation,” said CPS Constable Elena Hughes. “And now, families are grieving, lives have been altered forever.”

What’s Next

The area where the crash occurred has since been reopened, but police presence remains heightened as the investigation continues. Funeral arrangements for the deceased have not yet been announced.

Meanwhile, Calgary Police are reminding drivers to remain alert, especially in high-traffic zones like those near airports.

“This was a preventable tragedy,” Sgt. Tilley emphasized. “We can all do our part to prevent another one.”