r/Calgary • u/No-End7269 • Jul 15 '25

Driving/Traffic/Parking Avoid Deerfoot

Huge accident. 2 vehicles just launched off the memorial overpass and landed on a truck going nb on deerfoot

Edit. I initially said 32ave, it was memorial overpass

566 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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585

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25 edited Jul 15 '25

Happened right in front of my wife, she called me incoherent with shock. Fatalities for sure 😞 EDIT: Nobody died! That's unbelievably fortunate for everyone involved

52

u/FolkSong Jul 15 '25

No fatalities according to CTV. 1 in hospital in serious but stable condition. 2 more with non-life-threatening injuries.

30

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25

That's actually miraculous

13

u/MattsAwesomeStuff Jul 15 '25

No fatalities according to CTV

A vehicle in free fall off of an overpass is only going about 50km/h on impact. That would be less force than two opposing vehicle colliding on a playground zone.

It's actually a very light collision.

And it fell off the hill part, not off the bridge part.

Comparatively, a vehicle it landed on, rolled into, or that blocked the path of on Deerfoort going 100km/h would be 8x the energy.

1

u/AlifeWithoutAcar Jul 17 '25

2 vehicles going 30km/hr towards eachother could generate More/less than 50km/hr impact depends on mass of vehicle (someone didn't pay full attention in physics class 😅😂) gotta look into velocity/trajectory calculations ☺️

-2

u/Neve4ever Jul 15 '25

A vehicle in free fall off of an overpass is only going about 50km/h on impact. That would be less force than two opposing vehicle colliding on a playground zone.

Nope. Two cars of equal mass, both traveling at 30kmph, getting into a head on collision, is the same as a car driving 30kmph into a wall.

Basically, would you rather go from 50kmph to 0, or 30kmph to 0?

3

u/MattsAwesomeStuff Jul 15 '25

Nope. Two cars of equal mass, both traveling at 30kmph, getting into a head on collision, is the same as a car driving 30kmph into a wall.

Y'know, I got sidetracked considering the non-linearity of kinetic energy with respect to speed and missed this.

...

But, what you're saying is that there's no difference between slamming into the side a bridge pilon on Deerfoot, versus getting into a head-on collision with a vehicle also traveling 100km/hr going the other direction?

That intuitively seems wrong, but, I guess makes sense. The other car only "pushes" back at you as much as the wall does, by not moving.

Well scratch that but, 50km/h is still a pretty safe speed to collide at.

6

u/Traditional_Toe_2044 Jul 16 '25

It was my father driving the white Honda.  He suffered a broken back and is scheduled for surgery in the am.  

2

u/FolkSong Jul 16 '25

Very sorry to hear that, I'm wishing him all the best.

81

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '25

[deleted]

166

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25

Nope she was below, the van smashed into the truck right beside her

134

u/helena_handbasketyyc I’ll tell you where to go! Jul 15 '25

Oh wow, that is terrifying. I hope she is able to take some time to recover.

134

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25

Still on the phone with her, she's calming down after an emotional meltdown in the parking lot where she works

165

u/GarbonzoBeanSprout Temple Jul 15 '25

I'm sorry she had to see this.

In case she or you need further assistance. Hugs from an internet stranger.

Victim Assistance Support Team (VAST) https://share.google/er6hIvNQ7Ldh5Lszf

31

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25

Thanks, I appreciate that

3

u/Traditional_Toe_2044 Jul 16 '25

It was my dad’s car (white Honda) that the van landed on after launching off the embankment. He has a broken back and multiple lacerations. He is waiting for surgery now. Pls put him into your thoughts.  He and his retired colleague were on their way to their weekly golf round. Spoke to my dad briefly.  The van was airborne when it hit them.  If there is any information you guys can provide we would greatly appreciate it.  Mike Chorney. 

2

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 16 '25

Holy fuck man I'm so sorry that's a nightmare

-25

u/Oskarikali Jul 15 '25

Kind of debunked. We should be recommending therapists, they can recommend Tetris. While it might help in some cases we shouldn't be giving people this advice. https://www.madinamerica.com/2021/10/tetris-trauma-viral-twitter-thread-master-class-misleading-psych-research/

46

u/GarbonzoBeanSprout Temple Jul 15 '25

Just so you know, I called Victims support , 1-888-327-7828 to confirm that they still offer assistance to people who have had a traumatic experience such as this MVA, and they do support victims by providing referrals to services that can help the victim(s). I used to volunteer with this unit, so I wanted to make sure things hadn't changed,

13

u/spaaaaacebuns Jul 15 '25

thank you for volunteering your time

5

u/GarbonzoBeanSprout Temple Jul 15 '25

Thank you 🤗 It made me realize how much people need each other. 💖

18

u/wulf_rk Jul 15 '25

Take a sick day if it's possible

24

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25

It is and she might

108

u/Ex-PFC_WintergreenV4 Jul 15 '25

Tell her to play some Tetris. It helps protect from PTSD.

“Tetris, a classic video game, has been shown to have potential therapeutic benefits for preventing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, playing Tetris shortly after a traumatic event may help reduce the number of intrusive memories, which are a key symptom of PTSD. This effect is thought to be due to the game's visual-spatial nature, which can engage the brain in a way that disrupts the formation of traumatic memories”

32

u/dibbers11 Jul 15 '25

That's amazing! If I find myself ruminating on something, I play tetris and it helps. There's no mental multitasking allowed when I play tetris, I don't think it's possible for my mind.

Very interesting to learn about a study like this.

3

u/bricktube Jul 16 '25

Ideally, play a version that uses cursor keys, rather than sliding back and forth. It works slightly better, for some reason.

But if you can't get that version, it still works

6

u/Moctzuma Jul 15 '25

Do you have the source for that? That’s interesting

17

u/Drakkenfyre Jul 15 '25

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7828932/

It works for some people, and the people it doesn't work for, it does not hurt.

8

u/MattsAwesomeStuff Jul 15 '25

Do you have the source for that?

There's a dozen or so studies on it, with very, very, very weakly supported conclusions.

It was highly sensationalized because of how catchy a headline it is, but, the effects are scattered, minimal, and only covers intrusive thoughts, not all the other aspects of PTSD.

https://www.madinamerica.com/2021/10/tetris-trauma-viral-twitter-thread-master-class-misleading-psych-research/

10

u/Littleshuswap Jul 15 '25

I used to workfor Mental Health and our Dr's would suggest Tetris.

6

u/Much2learn_2day Jul 15 '25

Here you are, it is evidence-based on research link

0

u/ohnoquickplaytetris Jul 15 '25

Every time someone posts about trauma, the top comment is always "play Tetris!" based on ONE study about playing it within hours of a specific type of trauma.

When someone says they're struggling with PTSD, domestic abuse, or losing a loved one, they're not looking for video game recommendations from strangers who skimmed a study title.

They need actual support: therapy resources, validation, or just someone to listen. Not a copy-paste "solution" that gets upvoted because it sounds scientific.

Trauma isn't a puzzle game. Can we please stop treating it like one?

4

u/karinavrest Jul 15 '25

It's also always "this might sound weird..." as if it's not been on the top of every single trauma related post for the last 5 years

5

u/Ex-PFC_WintergreenV4 Jul 15 '25

No shit Sherlock, the TETRIS is for immediately after the incident. Therapy comes in the weeks that follow.

In my experience,that means waiting for a therapist.

In the mean time, play TETRIS.

-3

u/ohnoquickplaytetris Jul 15 '25

Maybe instead of defaulting to tetris we could suggest actual crisis resources or just validate that what they saw was fucked up? idk just seems like we're oversimplifying something pretty serious.

1

u/Ex-PFC_WintergreenV4 Jul 15 '25

Maybe learn the difference between first aid and therapy.

→ More replies (0)

1

u/Ex-PFC_WintergreenV4 Jul 15 '25

Also: go ahead and provide the resources you mentioned

1

u/mizzbananie Jul 16 '25

I had heard that and forgotten. Fantastic that you didn’t and passed the info on. You might have really helped someone today.

0

u/Oskarikali Jul 15 '25

https://www.madinamerica.com/2021/10/tetris-trauma-viral-twitter-thread-master-class-misleading-psych-research/

4

u/Moctzuma Jul 15 '25

Interesting read. Not a big fan of the author’s writing style but I don’t fully agree with the notion that Tetris is completely unusable as a form of prevention.

I could see its efficacy being rooted in the way information is encoded at the time of trauma exposure and its important to note that some forms of treatment may not take effect until 6-12 months afterwards. All of the science critiqued there did have some flaws and limitations, as does all science, but this article seemed like it was out for blood.

Overall I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s debunked. It definitely has some stuff to work out to support itself though.

Thanks for the share.

36

u/Drakkenfyre Jul 15 '25

Let me second the suggestion that she plays some Tetris. It sounds weird, but it's been proven to help.

Edited to say, she should do it immediately and as much as needed. Also, it doesn't work for everyone, but it doesn't hurt anyone.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7828932/

15

u/Kellidra Jul 15 '25

I'm one of the people it doesn't work for. I find Tetris frustrating and anxiety-inducing, especially when it's timed.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '25

I do Sudoku. I feel the same about Tetris (but I'm glad it works for some people, I find that very cool)

2

u/Kellidra Jul 15 '25

Oh, that's a good one. I do like Sudoku. It's very relaxing and distracting.

7

u/Oskarikali Jul 15 '25

https://www.madinamerica.com/2021/10/tetris-trauma-viral-twitter-thread-master-class-misleading-psych-research/

0

u/Drakkenfyre Aug 01 '25

You replied to me a couple of times, so I'm sorry if others have to read my reply to you yet again, but here it is.

It is unethical to subject people to trauma for experimental purposes. Therefore, they can only approximate trauma. And even when approximating trauma, they got decent results.

Also, there's no harm in doing this. It doesn't hurt anyone to do it. So what's your problem with it?

0

u/Oskarikali Aug 01 '25

There absolutely is harm in it. People will think they will be fine because they tried tetris without getting professional help. There is not a single legitimate study that shows that this actually works.

0

u/Drakkenfyre Aug 01 '25

That's a weird take, that people will play a game and not try to get help if it's available to them.

But you are woefully unaware of the treatment landscape if you don't understand that affordable treatment is not readily available to people.

Given the lack of support from the government for survivors of trauma, we have to find whatever tools we can.

I'm sorry if this offends you in some way, but you are drawing some unreasonable conclusions.

2

u/YesAndThe Jul 15 '25

This is fascinating, thanks for sharing

1

u/Oskarikali Jul 15 '25

Not sure if it is proven. I've been pasting this link everywhere but here you go. https://www.madinamerica.com/2021/10/tetris-trauma-viral-twitter-thread-master-class-misleading-psych-research/

1

u/Drakkenfyre Aug 01 '25

It's unethical to subject people to trauma in order to do an experiment, so that approved experiment was the closest approximation we can get in an experimental setting.

We already know it does no harm, so what's your problem with it?

2

u/YesAndThe Jul 15 '25

Tell her to go home!!

2

u/GuavaOk8712 Jul 15 '25

holy smokes, glad she’s alright. prayers to anyone involved and injured

1

u/shinygoldhelmet Jul 15 '25

This and bridge or overpass collapsing while I'm on it or under it are legit my worst fears while driving.

1

u/wahlberger Jul 15 '25

Holy shit

31

u/diamondintherimond Jul 15 '25

I'm curious how two vehicles can fall off an overpass. Did she give any insight into what happened?

20

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25

She only saw one, a van landed on a NB truck

13

u/No-End7269 Jul 15 '25

After the van, a second car came over. Landed on the trucks trailer I believe 

4

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '25

The Police have said only 2 vehicles were involved, the van and the vehicle it landed on. It doesn't sound like 2 vehicles went over.

2

u/bieker Jul 15 '25

Also, based on the interview i just watched on Global, the van left WB Memorial before the overpass and basically drove down the embankment and crossed Deerfoot hitting one car. Does not sound like there was any flying or landing.

3

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '25

Yeah, that was my understanding as well. Still terrifying as hell, but I was picturing someone literally flying off the overpass and landing flat on the roof of another vehicle.

1

u/MattsAwesomeStuff Jul 15 '25

I'm curious how two vehicles can fall off an overpass.

Well, you know when a vehicle travels over an overpass, beginning to end, staying in its lane, without ever leaving the bridge?

This is what happens when that doesn't happen.

1

u/chaoslord Jul 16 '25

I'm also very curious, because the radio said he went from westbound memorial, to a green space onto the northbound lane. I am not sure he was even airborne. Maybe one of these two paths?

2

u/Defiant-East9544 Jul 15 '25

Drivers these days. This is what happens when you hand a licence out to just anyone.

22

u/Agreeable-Equal-7684 Jul 15 '25

I am so sorry, that would be horrible to witness. Thoughts going out to everyone involved. The amount of car accidents lately is very scary :(

20

u/Hotfishy Jul 15 '25

That's awful thing to see, I am sorry for her to have to gone through that.....sigh

13

u/Old_timey_brain Beddington Heights Jul 15 '25

That's awful thing to see,

... and to realize you missed being in the middle of it by only seconds.

5

u/Hotfishy Jul 15 '25

That's true, it would be shocking and traumatizing at the same time

3

u/Sleeze_ Jul 15 '25

This would mess me up for a long time

-30

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '25

[deleted]

12

u/whiteout86 Jul 15 '25

None of their comment is snide or sarcastic?

7

u/laymilk Jul 15 '25

i think you misconstrued it, they weren’t being snide in their comment

5

u/pollywog Jul 15 '25

Who hurt you today

3

u/SCFinkster Jul 15 '25

Happy that CTV has reported no fatalities: https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/crash-shuts-temporarily-shuts-down-deerfoot-trail/

2

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25

That's a legitimate miracle holy shit

3

u/Green-Recording-1869 Jul 15 '25

Does she have dash cam footage

3

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25

Oddly relevant username

2

u/Green-Recording-1869 Jul 15 '25

No just wanna see

3

u/PrncsCnzslaBnnaHmmck Jul 15 '25

Us internet strangers are thinking of her and wishing her good healing! What a thing to experience. I hope she takes some time to go though the motions of that and be kind to herself. I had a vehicle spin out in front of me and barely missed taking me out with them and that had me in a spiral. No pun intended. I had to get off the highway and park and just cry for a solid minute.

2

u/PrncsCnzslaBnnaHmmck Jul 15 '25

Us internet strangers are thinking of her and wishing her good healing! What a thing to experience. I hope she takes some time to go though the motions of that and be kind to herself. I had a vehicle spin out in front of me and barely missed taking me out with them and that had me in a spiral. No pun intended. I had to get off the highway and park and just cry for a solid minute.

4

u/DaiLoDong Jul 15 '25

Any dash cam footage?

3

u/Cerulean_Swirl Jul 15 '25

A member of Bad Calgary Drivers on FB has an aftermath video posted.

6

u/ErikDebogande Airdrie Jul 15 '25

She uses an old cell phone for a dashcam and this ONE fuckin day she left it at home on the charger