Alcohol and speed suspected factors in Cochrane crash, four hospitalized

Serious crash in Cochrane Four people were injured in an early morning rollover. RCMP suspect alcohol and speed contributed to the crash.

An early morning single-vehicle crash near Cochrane’s western limits sent four people to hospital, one in critical, life-threatening condition.

Cpl. Mel Calahasen of the Cochrane RCMP detachment says emergency crews responded to the crash shortly before 4:00 a.m.

“Cochrane RCMP received a complaint from a passerby who observed a female walking on the road, on Horse Creek Road, approximately three kilometres north of Highway 1A ,” said Calahasen. “She wasn’t dressed for the weather. She was covered in blood. The individual did stop, noticed the injuries were substantial, and contacted the RCMP when they arrived at the scene (of the crash).”

Officers arrived to discover a vehicle in the ditch with an unresponsive 20-year-old male in the back seat.

“There was no pulse, there was no breathing,” said Calahasen. “They conducted CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and, after conducting CPR, they were able to revive this individual.”

The man, a resident of Cochrane, was airlifted by STARS Air Ambulance to the Foothills Medical Centre in critical condition. As of Sunday afternoon, his condition had not changed.

A preliminary investigation by RCMP officers determined the vehicle had been travelling northbound at the time of the crash. “The vehicle entered the ditch, hit an approach and became airborne. The vehicle struck the ditch, rolled three times and we believe two of the four individuals in the vehicle were ejected.”

The front passenger, a female from Water Valley, was severely injured. “She’s currently in Foothills Hospital under examination by doctors.”

RCMP have determined the injured woman who was found by the passerby was the driver of the vehicle. The woman, age not disclosed, was transported to hospital by ambulance. “Her injuries are not determined to be life threatening at this point but we do believe that alcohol and speed were contributing factors.” RCMP officials accompanied the injured woman to hospital for questioning.

A second male who had been in the backseat of the vehicle suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for medical treatment.

Calahasen applauds the life-saving efforts of the responding officers.

“In this particular instance, our members arrived on scene prior to the EMS arrival,” said Calahasen. “Our members went above and beyond their normal expectations of their duties.”

The Cochrane RCMP detachment continues to investigate the crash alongside an RCMP collision expert.