At approximately 5:20 a.m. on Sunday, March 6, the Sundre RCMP detachment responded to a complaint of a vehicle on fire in a ditch just north of town.
Police, EMS and the Sundre Fire Department attended the intersection of Highway 22 and Twp. Rd. 354, where they located a 2002 Ford Windstar containing the remains of a male. The vehicle and male were completely consumed by fire. The sole occupant of the van, a 51-year-old male from Caroline, was tentatively identified. The man's identity will not be released out of respect for the family.
RCMP Red Deer Traffic Services assisted the Sundre RCMP detachment with its investigation. It appears that the van was travelling northbound on Highway 22 when it failed to negotiate a turn. The van left the road and rolled into the ditch where it struck a tree and subsequently caught fire.
It appears that speed and human error contributed to the collision. Chinook Arch Victims Services has been requested to offer support to the witness of the event and the family of the deceased regarding this tragic event.
