Community Alert: Fatal Ambulance–Truck Crash on Route 16 in Melrose, N.B.

Three people from Prince Edward Island have died following a serious two-vehicle collision involving an ambulance and a transport truck on Route 16 in Melrose, New Brunswick. The crash occurred on the morning of July 7, 2026 and has resulted in a prolonged closure of the highway as authorities investigate.

Members of the Sackville RCMP Detachment responded to the collision at around 9:11 a.m.. The driver of the ambulance, a 56-year-old man from Warren Grove, PEI, and his two passengers—a 77-year-old woman from Montague, PEI and a 23-year-old woman from Nine Mile Creek, PEI—were all pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the transport truck was taken to hospital with serious but reported as non‑life‑threatening injuries.

Official Details of the Incident

According to the official information provided by the RCMP, the collision remains under active investigation and key facts released so far include:

• On July 7, 2026, at approximately 9:11 a.m., Sackville RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle collision on Route 16 in Melrose, N.B..
• Initial findings indicate that an ambulance travelling westbound collided head-on with a transport truck.
• The occupants of the ambulance who died at the scene were:
  • A 56-year-old man from Warren Grove, PEI (driver).
  • A 77-year-old woman from Montague, PEI (passenger).
  • A 23-year-old woman from Nine Mile Creek, PEI (passenger).
• The transport truck driver was transported to hospital with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening.
• Multiple agencies attended the scene, including members of the Richibucto, Shediac, and Caledonia RCMP Detachments; Straight Shores Fire Department; Ambulance New Brunswick; an RCMP Collision Reconstructionist; an RCMP Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (drone) operator; a representative from the New Brunswick Coroner’s Office; and personnel from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Justice and Public Safety, and WorkSafe NB.
• Both the ambulance and the transport truck have been sent for mechanical inspections as part of the investigation.
• Route 16 remains closed while RCMP and partner agencies continue to examine the scene and determine the cause of the collision.

This incident highlights the risks associated with higher-speed rural and regional routes across Canada. Communities near major transport corridors—whether in Atlantic Canada or in places such as Two Hills, Alberta, and other transportation-linked communities—experience similar safety challenges where commercial vehicles, emergency responders, and the public share the roadway.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this fatal collision on Route 16 in Melrose, New Brunswick underscores how quickly serious harm can occur on regional highways, even when professional drivers and emergency vehicles are involved. While the investigation is ongoing and no cause has been determined, it is a reminder to all road users in New Brunswick to adopt cautious, defensive driving habits—particularly on undivided highways where head-on impacts are possible.

For local residents and those travelling between provinces, key safety practices include reducing speed in poor conditions, avoiding distractions, giving wide berth to emergency and commercial vehicles, and being prepared for sudden closures or detours on routes like Route 16. CrimeCanada.ca’s mission is to support safer communities by sharing timely, factual updates and broader safety context, helping residents stay informed about serious roadway incidents and the patterns that affect overall community risk.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the new-brunswick community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.