3 children who died in 'very tragic' crash in central Alberta were from Washington state

Three children who were killed in a highway collision northeast of Calgary Wednesday night were travelling from the state of Washington with their parents, who survived the crash, RCMP say.

An infant girl, a 16-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boywere declared dead at the scene after the SUV they were in collided with a semi-truck at about 5:45 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 36 and Highway 570south of Hanna, a town215 km northeast of Calgary.

• 3 kids killed in crash that injured 3 others northeast of Calgary

The children's mother, 32, was flown to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary by STARS air ambulance and their father, 44,was taken to the hospital in Brooks. Both are listed in stable condition, said RCMP Corp. Laurel Scott.

"This is certainly a very tragic situation for this family, and for these parents," she said.

A collision analyst went to the scene of the crash Wednesday night to begin investigating the cause of the crash.

"The process nowis we wait to get his report," she said.

It's believed theSUV was travelling west on Highway 570 when it collided with the southbound truck on Highway 36.

There is a stop sign on Highway 570.

The driver of the semi was taken to Hanna General Hospital and has since been released.

Hanna Mayor ChrisWarwicksays installing flashing lights before the stop sign on Highway 570 might help prevent similar tragedies.

Doug Anderson, who has a farm near the crash site, agrees improvements could be made to the intersection.

"A bigger stop sign would help here and maybe photo radar," he said.

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