A collision between a train and a van in Saskatchewan has taken the lives of three children and a teen.
The crash happened Thursday evening in Broadview, Saskatchewan, about 150 kilometres east of Regina.
Police say a 15-year-old boy was behind the wheel of a camper van when it was hit by a CP train at an uncontrolled crossing.
“The train was going about 50 miles an hour and it T-boned the train, right broadside -- it was completely destroyed,” said Cpl. Rob King with Saskatchewan RCMP.
An 11-year-old girl from Chestermere and an 18-year-old from Whitewood Saskatchewan were killed in the crash.
A 7-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl, siblings from Turner Valley, also died in the collision.
Police say the teen had a valid learner’s permit and was driving the van. Their 42-year-old mother, Vicki Morrison, also survived. She was treated in Broadview.
This is the second time the Morrison family has faced devastation.
The hardest thing is Vicki lost her husband approximately 5 years ago,” said family friend Tammie Marchuk.
Brian Morrison was killed in a farming accident when he fell from a large silo at Roseburn Ranches in April of 2008.
Friends say there is lots of support for the family.
“Thank God, lots of family for support for them,” said Marchuk.
The RCMP say an examination of the train’s recording devices will be part of the investigation into the collision.
Police add that due to the extensive damage to the camper van, investigators may never know if there were any mechanical problems with the vehicle.
The RCMP, the railway and Transportation Safety Board are all part of the investigation.
With files from Sonia Sunger, the Canadian Press
