On August 25, 2009 around 6:45pm, Portage la Prairie RCMP received a report of a vehicle and train collision on Highway 16 less than one kilometre north of Highway 1.
Portage la Prairie and Amaranth RCMP attended the scene with CN Police, Portage Ambulance, and Portage Fire Department as well. Traffic had to be re-routed along Highway 34 due to the location of the collision. The vehicle, a blue four door Grand Prix, was travelling south on Highway 16 towards Highway 1 when the collision occurred. The train crossing was marked with lights and barriers, which were both reported as being active at the time of the collision.
The driver, and lone occupant of the car, had to be extracted from the vehicle by Portage Fire Department and was transported to Portage General Hospital by ambulance. The driver, a 69-year-old woman from Swan River, MB, was pronounced deceased on arrival at the hospital, her name is not being released at this time.
An autopsy has been ordered.
An RCMP Traffic Analyst attended to assist with the investigation.
The incident is still under investigation.
Cst. Stephen Senuita
Portage la Prairie RCMP
Tel: 204-857-4445
Fax: 204-239-0130
