‘Absolute tragedy’: 5 killed in highway rollover in western Manitoba

Police say five people were killed when their SUV entered a ditch and rolled on a highway near Swan River Saturday evening.

Swan River RCMP say the rollover happened on Highway 83 – 19 kilometres south of Swan River – around 5 p.m.

Police believe the SUV was going north when it entered the ditch and rolled into a field. They say none of the five occupants were wearing seatbelts, and they were ejected from the vehicle.

The victims were identified as two women aged 26 and 42, and three men aged 25, 36 and 37. They were pronounced dead on scene.

Police believe speed was a factor in the collision.

“This is an absolute tragedy, another collision with multiple fatalities on our roads”, said Staff Sgt. Joe Duncan of Swan River RCMP in a news release.

RCMP are continuing to investigate.