It’s been two days fraught with tragedy in Central Alberta.
As police dealt with a horrific collision on Hwy 2 near Innisfail on Sunday evening that claimed four lives, two other separate incidents claimed two more lives.
One involved a collision with a train in Sylvan Lake. The other involved a fire near Eckville.
At about 10:30 a.m on Monday, a Canadian National Railway train struck a vehicle at the crossing on 50th Street near 50th Avenue in downtown Sylvan Lake.
A southbound car with a lone occupant was struck by a westbound train. The occupant was pronounced dead at the scene.
CN public affairs manager Warren Chandler said the rail crossing protection at the site was functioning as designed at the time of the collision. He added there were no injuries to the train crew.
Sylvan Lake RCMP Cpl. James Allemekinders said RCMP, Sylvan Lake Fire Department and Lakeside EMS responded to the collision.
Allemekinders confirmed through witness accounts that the crossing lights and bells were activated at the time of the collision. He added that heavy snow was falling and roads were snow covered.
RCMP and CN crews were on site after the collision and the collision is under investigation.
No further information about the driver is being released until the next of kin is notified.
In the other incident, a fire north of Eckville took the life of a 19-year-old Eckville man early Sunday morning.
Friends identified the victim as Justin Henneigh from the Eckville area.
Fire crews from Eckville and Bentley responded to the fire call around 8 a.m. to find a mobile home fully engulfed.
Sylvan Lake RCMP Sgt. Michelle Boutin said four young friends were in the home at the time of the fire and three managed to escape.
Boutin said the medical examiner’s report will determine the cause of death but RCMP are not treating it as suspicious.
Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire to be an electrical issue in the home.
The Sylvan Lake Victim Services Unit is assisting the community and family members.
Weather also kept police and other emergency services busy on Monday.
Snow fell throughout the day in Central Alberta, creating worsening driving conditions as the day wore on.
Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for Central Alberta including Red Deer, Olds, Sundre, Rocky Mountain House, Ponoka, Stettler and Innisfail. An additional 10 to 20 cm of snow was expected Monday.
RCMP Traffic Units were advising motorists late Monday afternoon against travel in the Central Alberta area. Hwy 2 from Hwy 53, going south and north to Calgary, was extremely treacherous. Road conditions were very poor and slippery. There was little or no visibility.
There were multiple motor vehicle collisions around the supper hour, and one serious collision on Hwy 2 at 67th Street involving a semi trailer unit. No other information was available.
At about 5:40 p.m. RCMP were advising people to stay home and drive only in emergency situations.
Alberta Integrated Traffic Unit and Innisfail Freeway Detachment said average highway speeds were down to 40 km/h.