Canada – Three Die in Collision Involving Correctional Vehicle in Alberta
Canada – Three people, including a 25-year-old correctional officer of Indian origin from Punjab, were killed in a road accident in rural Alberta after a Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) vehicle carrying a woman inmate collided head-on with a box truck.
The fatal crash took place shortly before 11.30 am at the junction of Highway 41 and Highway 13, south of Wainwright near Czar in eastern Alberta. The location is around 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
Three people killed at the scene
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the CSC vehicle was carrying two correctional officers and a female inmate when it struck a Hino box truck at the intersection. All three occupants of the correctional vehicle died at the scene.
The victims were identified as 25-year-old Ramandeep Kaur Maan of Winnipeg, 57-year-old Nicolae Serban of Sherwood Park and 24-year-old inmate Kiara Mooswa of North Battleford. Maan and Serban were correctional officers with the Correctional Service of Canada.
The Hino truck had only its driver inside. He survived the collision and was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. Authorities have not released his name.
Emergency teams responded to crash
RCMP officers from Provost and Wainwright attended the scene along with personnel from the Hughenden Fire Department. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Authorities have not disclosed where the correctional vehicle was headed. The RCMP and CSC said the destination would not be made public at this stage because of the ongoing investigation.
Ramandeep Maan had moved from Punjab to Canada
Maan was originally from Gudhe village in Ludhiana district, Punjab. She moved to Canada several years ago as an international student and completed her education in Manitoba before relocating to Alberta.
She had been living in Edmonton for about a year and joined the Correctional Service of Canada approximately six months before the crash. Maan was known among those close to her for her interest in sports.
News of her death has brought grief to members of the Punjabi community in Canada as well as people in her native village in Punjab.
CSC mourns two correctional officers
Correctional Service of Canada Commissioner Talal Dakalbab expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of Maan and Serban, who worked at Edmonton Institution for Women.
He said the two officers had demonstrated professionalism and a strong commitment to public safety while carrying out their responsibilities. He also extended condolences to their families, friends and colleagues, describing both officers as valued members of the CSC community.
The correctional service also acknowledged the death of Mooswa, who was in its custody when the accident occurred.
Investigation to examine inmate death
Because one of the victims died while in custody, the Correctional Service of Canada said an internal investigation would be carried out. Officials have not provided further details about the scope or findings of that inquiry.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also offered condolences to the families and communities affected by the deaths. He highlighted the demanding responsibilities carried by correctional officers and expressed sympathy following the loss of the two officers.
The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers also mourned the deaths, saying the two professionals had served with dedication and courage. The union said their contribution and sacrifice would be remembered by their colleagues and the wider correctional community.