Family of Five Submerged in Elk River After Motor Vehicle Incident
By Nelson Daily Staff
Slushy roads are being blamed for a single vechicle accident Sunday west of Fernie that claimed the life of a woman.
Elk Valley RCMP said at 2:30 p.m. MST Sunday a white Chevrolet minivan left Highway 3A eight kilometers west of Fernie, coming to rest upside down in the Elk River.
The family of five was returning home to Coaldale, Alberta, when their vehicle left the roadway on a straight stretch of the highway.
A passing motorist and his girlfriend went down into the river and rescued all five occupants from the mini-van.
Witnesses at the scene and RCMP members engaged in CPR on the female passenger but tragically, she was pronounced dead at the Fernie Hospital.
RCMP members and a traveling physician managed to revive the four-year-old child by conducting CPR on the child.
The male driver and one of his children were treated at Sparwood Hospital with minor injuries including hypothermia.
The other two children were transported to Alberta Children’s Hospital by air ambulance with severe injuries.
Road conditions at the time of the collision were slushy on the center of the roadway way due to an overnight snowfall.
Investigation into the collision appears that the minivan may have been attempting a pass and lost control on the slushy center area of the roadway.
The Fernie man who helped rescue the family was treated for hypothermia and released.
Investigation into the collision is continuing.
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