15 June 2023 , 20:44
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At least 15 people have been killed in a horror crash between a truck and a van on a major road.
Horrific scenes are being reported as multiple bodies are seen covered with sheets on the busy Trans-Canada Highway this afternoon.
Reports state a van operated by Handi-Transit - which transports the elderly and disabled - and a semi-truck or semi-trailer collided near Carberry in Manitoba early this afternoon, not far from the US border.
Images show the van is off a road in a ditch and the truck has been punted to the shoulder of the highway after the crash between the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 5.
The Winnipeg Free Press reports at least three bodies can be seen covered up at the scene as of 2pm local time.
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Sources have told CTV News at least 15 people have perished in the fireball horror.
And at least eight ambulances were seen rushing west to Brandon, to the nearest ICU.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed they were on scene of a "very serious collision".
They tweeted: "RCMP on scene of a very serious collision on #MBHwy1 at #MBHwy5. Please yield to #rcmpmb & emergency vehicles en route. Highway closures in effect - avoid the area."
One of the vehicles can be seen in flames after the horror smash (Skilled Truckers Canada / Facebook)Its Major Crimes Services has begun an investigation into the crash.
The Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg has issued a 'code orange' as it prepares for an influx of casualties.
Trucker Caroline Bleackley told the local paper she saw thick black smoke spewing from a vehicle in the ditch as she approached the intersection heading towards Winnipeg.
The air ambulance zipped to the scene (Nirmesh Vadera)She said: “I could see there were people laying on the ground and people trying to attend to the bodies on the ground. I have seen collisions before, but not like this; not of this magnitude.
“It was a significant impact based on what I saw. There was a lot of damage. It was pretty sad to see."
Hero bystanders were reportedly helping the casualties at the scene as paramedics had not yet arrived.
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She reported two fire engines on scene, with traffic stopped in both directions.
Tracey Leitch was driving along the road around midday and told CTV News: "Before we got up to the scene, we (had) seen a lot of smoke.
"There was nothing left of the vehicle. I was almost in tears and almost had a panic attack. Like I just felt really sick to my stomach."
Emergency vehicles crowd the scene (Nirmesh Vadera)She said she had never seen a crash like this as she came across a semi truck with its front end smashed in and emitting smoke - while the other vehicle was also very badly damaged.
Nirmesh Vadera told CTV News he was working in the area when the crash happened and said he saw a a passenger vehicle burning.
He said: ""I can't describe it, because I've never saw this much flame and all the accident.
"People were trying to save themselves and...medical staff, fire staff, they were helping them to get out. It is hard to describe, but it was horrible."
Premier of Manitoba Heather Stefanson said: "My heart breaks hearing the news of the tragic accident near Carberry. My most sincere condolences go out to all those involved."
Out of respect to the victims, the flags at Manitoba’s legislative building are to be lowered to half-mast.
Air ambulance crews have rushed to the scene.
The STARS air ambulance has sent two aircraft to the crash.
STARS spokesman Blake Robert told local media: "STAR-7 (helicopter) has been deployed from Winnipeg and STAR-9 (helicopter) has been deployed from Regina.
"We have also deployed additional STARS crew to the area on two fixed wing aircraft, for a total of 14 STARS critical care crew responding in addition to area EMS and other first responders."
The Winnipeg Free Press reports Shared Health and Prairie Mountain Health have both reported a mass casualty response is underway as hospitals across the regions covered by the Health Sciences Centre, Prairie Mountain Health and the Winnipeg Health Region are prepared to receive casualties.
The 'code orange' has triggered an all-system response.
In a statement, it said: "Response teams are at the scene and transporting patients and emergency department, surgical and critical care teams at HSC and Brandon Regional Health Centre are prepared to support the care needs of incoming patients.”
The highway is still closed both ways and RCMP have asked people to stay away from the area, erecting a bufffer zone that stretches 3.2 kilometres on both sides.