3 dead, 10 in hospital after fiery crash, explosion involving Calgary Transit buses
Posted Oct 15, 2026 1:57 pm.
Last Updated Oct 15, 2026 3:21 pm.
Three people are dead and at least 10 others are in hospital after two Calgary Transit buses collided in northeast Calgary on Thursday afternoon, leading to a fire engulfing one of the vehicles and a massive emergency response.
Emergency crews were called to Saddletowne Circle near 80 Avenue NE around 1:10 p.m. following reports of a vehicle fire involving a bus.
According to Calgary police, a bus travelling along Saddletowne Circle collided with a truck travelling in the same direction. The truck was bumped into the next lane where it sideswiped an SUV and then crashed into the back of a cube van.
The bus continued and hit the back of a car, which was pushed into another truck. The first bus then struck a bus that was stopped at a bus stop, before coming to a stop on its own.
The stopped bus was pushed into other vehicles across the roadway. Police say eight vehicles in total were involved in the crash.
The natural-gas tanks on the bus that was stopped at the bus stop subsequently caught fire and resulted in an explosion that saw the vehicle burst into flames. Officials believe there were 13 people aboard at the time of the crash.
Video posted online showed flames erupting from the roof of the bus before an explosion sent a fireball into the air and flames shooting from its doors and windows.
3 dead, several injured
Three people who were on the bus that caught fire were declared dead at the scene.
The bus driver of the bus that ignited was able to escape the vehicle, according to police. The driver of the first bus had to be extricated from the vehicle and was taken to hospital with life-altering injuries.
Paramedics say 19 people were injured in the crash and 10 patients were transported to hospital. The other drivers involved either were not hurt or sustained minor injuries.
A Calgary police officer was also taken to hospital with minor injuries after the explosion. Investigators believe the officer had approached the rear of the bus when the blast occurred.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas called the collision “a heartbreaking day for our city.”
“I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died,” Farkas said. “To those who have been injured, we are thinking of you and hoping for your recovery.”
Massive emergency response
Police Sgt. Andy Woodward described the collision scene as one of the largest he has encountered during his career.
“I’ve been a police officer for 36 years and I think this is probably the biggest scene that I’ve worked on,” Woodward said.
The crash occurred near both police and fire stations, allowing emergency crews to respond quickly. Fire Chief Steve Dongworth said as many as a dozen fire apparatus were on scene during the height of the response.
Witness Maxwell Calinisan said he was shopping at a nearby store when he saw the burning bus.
“It was definitely pretty scary just seeing a bus on fire as soon as you walked out the store,” he said.
Dongworth said the bus that caught fire and later exploded was powered by liquid natural gas, while the other transit bus was not.
Police are collecting security camera footage as part of the investigation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234, or submit tips anonymously to CrimeStoppers.
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