Emergency crews and STARS Air Ambulance were called to a four vehicle collision approximately seven miles east of Richer on the east bound lane of Highway #1 at 7:24 p.m. on Friday.

Richer Fire Fighter Wilfred Kropp says a half-ton pickup truck hit a car, and the car caught fire. RCMP report The car then hit the trailer of the SUV in front of it, which, in turn, hit the van in front. The SUV and the car both started on fire.
Kropp says both the car and the SUV came to rest in the middle of the east bound lane of Highway #1.

Kropp says the driver and sole occupant of the car was burned badly and was transported to a hospital in Winnipeg by STARS.

"Luckily one person from another vehicle went to grab the woman out. He got the seat belt off. He used the tow rope from one vehicle to pull the woman out of her vehicle. In the process he got burned on both of his arms."

Kropp notes there were two women in the pickup truck and two children and one man in the SUV. He adds everyone involved in the collision was taken away by the ambulances with varying injuries.

RCMP say the 38-year-old female driver of the van and her passengers were uninjured. The 45-year-old male driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries and was taken to local hospital. The children were uninjured. The 41-year-old female driver and lone occupant of the car suffered serious injuries. She was transported to Winnipeg hospital where she remains in critical condition. The 32-year-old female driver of the pickup truck and her passenger suffered minor injuries and were taken to local hospital. All those involved are from Winnipeg.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision.

Traffic was rerouted until approximately 4:00 am.

A RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting with the ongoing investigation.