A chaotic scene on Deerfoot Trail on Monday afternoon left one driver injured and briefly shut down a stretch of the highway in southeast Calgary.
Just before 5 p.m., emergency crews were called to a multi‑vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of Deerfoot near the Calf Robe Bridge.
Firefighters arrived to find one vehicle fully involved in flames in the left lane and several others damaged, according to CFD spokesperson Alex Kwan.
Crews quickly knocked down the fire and forced open the driver’s door to reach the trapped occupant. But as firefighters attempted the rescue, the driver became aggressive, Kwan said, jumping over the median into northbound traffic and leaping onto the hoods of several slowing vehicles.
A firefighter followed in an attempt to bring the driver back to safety, at which point the driver allegedly tried to attack the firefighter.
Calgary police were called, and firefighters were able to subdue the driver until officers and EMS arrived.
Paramedics confirm they assessed seven adults involved in the collision. Six were uninjured and did not require transport.
The driver removed from the burning vehicle was taken to Foothills Medical Centre in serious condition. No first responders were injured.
Fire crews remained on scene to clean up debris and leaking fluids while police and EMS evaluated other motorists.
Southbound Deerfoot was temporarily closed at Peigan Trail and at least one lane was reopened by 6:30 p.m.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
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