STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Police and fire personnel attend the scene of a fatal bus crash in Calgary, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
By The Canadian Press

Police look to cause of fiery Calgary bus crash, try to identify third person killed

Oct 16, 2026 | 11:58 AM

CALGARY — Police are trying to determine the cause of a fiery bus crash in Calgary that killed three passengers and injured 16 others, including a police officer.

Two transit buses were involved in the chain-reaction crash with several other vehicles Thursday on a busy road in the city’s northeast.

Police say the three who died were on a bus with natural gas tanks that ignited into flames and, within seconds, intensified and caused an explosion.

They say two of the victims have been identified and work to identify the third is ongoing.

The bus driver was able to escape, the driver of the other bus was taken to hospital with life-altering injuries, and the officer who rushed to help is recovering at home.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas has said the officer ran onto the burning bus to save a child.

Police say it’s too early to determine whether impairment, speed or distraction contributed to the crash.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press