An Alberta mother who was involved in a tragic crash was given CPR. The incident claimed the life of an Alberta mother.
Tragic crash
Kunthea and Richard Altvater were driving their 3 young children home to Coaldale when their minivan crashed off Highway 3 just west of Fernie and plunged upside down into Elk River.
After seeing the family trapped, two Good Samaritans stopped their vehicle and jumped into the frigid water to pull all five of them out. Kunthea and her 4-year old son had already stopped breathing. The frantic CPR efforts by the Mounties and a doctor successfully revived the boy but his mother was later declared dead at the Fernie Hospital.
According to witnesses from the area, the highway was thick with slushy wet snow and they are questioning why the snowplows did not clean up the roads earlier in the day. The cause of the crash has not been confirmed but Mounties believe that the minivan may have been trying to pass another vehicle when the driver lost control.
Two of the Altaver children were flown to Alberta Children’s Hospital with severe injuries while the father and third child were treated at Sparwood Hospital for hypothermia and minor wounds.
Timely delivery of CPR
Prompt delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is vital during emergencies. It is a life-saving technique that significantly improves the chances of survival during emergencies. You can be prepared by enrolling in a first aid course today.
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LEARN MORE
Learn how to help by enrolling in a first aid and CPR course and for more information, check out these sources:
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/drowning-treatment
https://www.healthline.com/health/first-aid/cpr
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600