Tragic Ambulance Collision
Three PEI residents, including paramedics, die in head-on ambulance-truck collision near Confederation Bridge
Key Points
The crash occurred at 9:11 a.m. Atlantic Time on Route 16 in Melrose, New Brunswick, near the Confederation Bridge, when a Westbound PEI ambulance collided head-on with an eastbound transport truck.
The three PEI residents who died were a 56-year-old Warren Grove man, a 77-year-old Montague woman, and a 23-year-old Nine Mile Creek woman.
Route 16 was closed in both directions for several hours following the crash, with traffic diverted to alternate rural routes, significantly delaying travel between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
RCMP response included a collision reconstructionist and a drone operator on scene to assist with the investigation of the collision.
Three Prince Edward Island residents — two paramedics and their patient — died Sunday morning after a PEI ambulance collided head-on with a transport truck on Route 16 near the Confederation Bridge in Melrose, New Brunswick, according to CTV News. The crash happened at 9:11 a.m. Atlantic Time and sent the truck driver to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Health PEI and Island EMS confirmed the three deaths. PEI Premier Rob Lantz called the crash a tragedy and asked the public to avoid speculation while investigators work to determine what caused the collision, The Globe and Mail reported.
Who Died and What Happened on Route 16
The ambulance was traveling westbound when it hit an eastbound transport truck head-on. The three people killed were a 56-year-old man from Warren Grove, a 77-year-old woman from Montague, and a 23-year-old woman from Nine Mile Creek, all from Prince Edward Island, according to The Globe and Mail. The 56-year-old was the ambulance driver, and the 77-year-old was the second paramedic on board.
The tractor-trailer driver survived and was transferred to hospital. Authorities have not yet said what caused the two vehicles to meet head-on on the rural highway, Airdrie City View reported.
Route 16 Shut Down for Hours Near the Bridge
Route 16 was closed in both directions for several hours after the crash. Drivers were sent to alternate rural roads, causing major delays for anyone traveling between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The Confederation Bridge is one of the main links between the two provinces, so the closure backed up traffic significantly.
RCMP sent a collision reconstructionist and a drone operator to the scene to help map out exactly what happened. Both vehicles were also taken away for mechanical inspection as part of the investigation, according to Head Topics.
Island EMS and PEI Premier Respond to the Losses
Island EMS confirmed the deaths of the two paramedics and expressed grief for its staff and their families. Premier Rob Lantz also spoke publicly, calling the news heartbreaking. He urged people not to spread rumors or guesses about the cause while the investigation is still ongoing, The Traveler reported.
First responders who arrived on scene also faced a difficult situation, dealing with the loss of colleagues. Island EMS said it is supporting its workers through the tragedy. No timeline has been given for when investigators expect to release a cause for the crash.
Investigation Continues With No Cause Confirmed Yet
RCMP and coroner services are working together on the investigation. The collision reconstructionist will use drone footage and physical evidence to piece together how the crash unfolded. Mechanical checks on both the ambulance and the transport truck will help rule out any equipment failure as a factor.
Authorities have not said when they expect results or whether charges could follow. The crash remains under active investigation, CTV News reported, and officials are asking anyone with information or dashcam footage from the area to come forward.
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