PROVOST, Alta., — Update: The Correctional Service of Canada has identified the two officers killed in the crash near Provost on Aug. 6 as Nicolae Serban and Ramandeep Kaur Maan of Edmonton Institution for Women.
CSC identified the inmate saying that on Aug. 6, 24-year-old Kiara Mooswa, an inmate from Edmonton Institution for Women, died while in their custody.
Mooswa, from Poundmaker First Nation, had been serving a sentence of seven years and 20 days since April 11, 2024.
"This tragedy has affected many families and communities," said CSC. "We also mourn the loss of Kiara Mooswa, who was in our care and custody at the time of the accident, and extend our condolences to her family, friends, and community."
CSC said their thoughts are also with Nick and Ramandeep's families, friends, and colleagues, who are facing an unimaginable loss.
"We honour them not only as Correctional Officers, but as valued members of our CSC family whose lives, service, and contributions have made a lasting impact on those who knew and worked alongside them."
Original story: A 24-year-old woman from North Battleford is among three occupants of the Correctional Service Canada van who are confirmed dead following a vehicle collision in Alberta.
According to Alberta RCMP, on Aug. 6 at 11:22 a.m., Provost RCMP responded to a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Highways 13 and 41, along with Hughenden Fire Department and Wainwright RCMP. Arriving officers determined that the collision was between a Hino Box Truck with a lone driver, and a Correctional Service Canada mini-van occupied by two Correctional Officers and a female inmate.
As a result of the collision, the three occupants of the Correctional Service Canada van, a 25-year-old woman from Winnipeg, a 57-year-old man from Sherwood Park and a 24-year-old woman from North Battleford, were confirmed deceased at the scene. The driver of the box truck was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
The RCMP Collision Reconstructionist attended the scene and the cause of the collision remains under investigation.
The Correctional Service of Canada confirmed the incident occurred during a transfer from Edmonton Institution for Women, a facility in west Edmonton.
“This news will be deeply felt across our organization, particularly by those at Edmonton Institution for Women and throughout the Prairie Region," said Commissioner Talal Dakalbab, Correctional Service of Canada in a statement on Friday.
"Our colleagues served Canadians with professionalism, dedication, and courage," added Dakalbab. "Their commitment to public safety and to CSC's mission leaves a lasting legacy, and we will ensure their invaluable contributions to our country are never forgotten.”
The Alberta RCMP also issued a statement offering condolences.
“The Alberta RCMP offers our sympathies to everyone affected by this tragic event,” said Assistant Commissioner Wayne Nichols, Acting Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP. “We extend our support to our fellow officers at Correctional Service Canada as they mourn their friends and colleagues and send our condolences to the loved ones of all three individuals whose lives were lost yesterday.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney also issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
“Every day, correctional officers do difficult work with an enormous responsibility: keeping Canadians and our communities safe. Yesterday, two officers tragically lost their lives. My thoughts today are with their loved ones, their colleagues across Correctional Service Canada,” he said.
ljoy@sasktoday.ca
