Two correctional officers and an offender were killed in a crash during a transfer from the Edmonton Institution for Women, according to Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). The crash happened after 11 a.m. on Thursday at the intersection of Highway 13 and 41, about 270 kilometres southeast of Edmonton near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. RCMP say the minivan carrying the officers and the inmate and a Hino box truck with a lone driver were involved in the crash. The three people in the van, a 25-year-old woman from Winnipeg, a 57-year-old man from Sherwood Park, and a 24-year-old woman from North Battleford died at the scene. The driver of the box truck was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The officers have been identified as Nicolae Serban and Ramandeep Kaur Maan. The inmate has been identified as Kiara Mooswa, who had been serving a seven-year sentence starting in 2024. “Today, our thoughts are with Nick and Ramandeep’s families, friends, and colleagues, who are facing an unimaginable loss. We honour them not only as correctional officers, but as valued members of our CSC family whose lives, service, and contributions have made a lasting impact on those who knew and worked alongside them,” CSC said in a statement on Friday. “We also mourn the loss of Kiara Mooswa, who was in our care and custody at the time of the accident, and extend our condolences to her family, friends, and community.” RCMP and CSC held a joint news conference on Friday to discuss the crash. Officials said the institution Mooswa was being transferred to is not being released for investigative reasons. They also declined to comment on whether Mooswa was in a secured area of the van or was in restraints at the time of the crash. CSC says a review of Moosewa’s death will be conducted but did not provide further information. Family of officer ‘devastated’ A community member says Kaur Maan was covering an overtime shift when the crash happened. “On her last day, she was working three hours of overtime, and that took her life. That was not her schedule shift,” Varinder Bhullar told CTV News Edmonton on Friday, adding that Kaur Maan was the main source of income for her family. “Her parents are living in India. Her brother is a student in Manitoba. She completed her study from Manitoba and moved to Edmonton six months ago, and then was working in this job and working hard.” Bhullar says she came to Canada as an international student before earning her permanent residency. “She was happy that she got a (permanent residency). She got a job that she liked. Then, unfortunately, that happiness didn’t last too long. Her family is devastated back home.” Reaction to the crash Reactions to the crash have come in from across Canada. “The Alberta RCMP offers our sympathies to everyone affected by this tragic event. We extend our support to our fellow officers at Correctional Service Canada as they mourn their friends and colleagues and send our condolences to the loved ones of all three individuals whose lives were lost yesterday,” Assistant Commissioner Wayne Nichols said in a news release. The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN) called the death of the officers an “unimaginable tragedy.” “These officers made the ultimate sacrifice while serving Canadians and ensuring the safety and security of our communities. Today, the entire correctional family is mourning their loss,” the union said in a news release. “At this time, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by the RCMP. Out of respect for that investigation and for the families involved, UCCO-SACC-CSN will not speculate on the events that led to this tragedy. “We understand there are many questions, but it is essential that the investigative process be allowed to proceed without interference.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his thoughts were with the loved ones and colleagues of the two officers. “Every day, correctional officers do difficult work with an enormous responsibility: keeping Canadians and our communities safe. Yesterday, two officers tragically lost their lives,” he wrote. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also wrote that he was “saddened” to learn of the deaths of the officers, adding they are owed a “debt of gratitude” for keeping Canadians safe. The Alberta First Responders Association is planning a barbecue event next weekend in Spruce Grove to collect money for the families of the victims. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nicole Weisberg
