Two people are dead and several others seriously injured after a head-on collision near Wetaskiwin on Canada Day.

RCMP say the crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. on July 1, just south of Wetaskiwin on Highway 2A, involving a pickup truck and a small SUV.

Police and EMS responded and were able to rescue two people from a burning vehicle. However, a 61-year-old man from California and a 64-year-old woman from Wetaskiwin were pronounced dead at the scene. Other occupants of the vehicles were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The highway was closed for several hours while the K-Division Collision Analyst team and Wetaskiwin General Investigation Unit investigated. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

RCMP have extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wetaskiwin RCMP at 780-312-7267 or provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com, or via the “P3 Tips” app.