A three vehicle collision has Highway 2 closed to southbound traffic.

RCMP, Fire and EMS were dispatched to a traffic call around 3:45 p.m on July 17, 2019.

Upon arrival they found a three vehicle collision, where one vehicle was in the ditch on the east most side of the Highway, a second vehicle was rolled onto it's roof on the inside southbound lane and the third vehicle was in the centre median.

High River RCMP Sergeant Ryan Dlin says two victims had to be extricated by firefighters.

"The vehicle rolled on it's roof was occupied by two females both from the United States. Both were extricated by a combination crew of Foothills Fire and High River Fire Departments. Both females were in critical condition and transported to Foothills Hospital."

The lone occupant of the car in the median was sent to Foothills Hospital on precautionary measures, the driver of the third vehicle in ditch on the east side of the highway was also transported to hospital.

Dlin says after speaking to witnesses the RCMP believe speed to be a factor.

"Initial witnesses suggest that the vehicle in the far east ditch was traveling at a high rate of speed, made an unsafe lane change and ended up rear ending the vehicle you see flipped on it's roof. The vehicle that was traveling at a high rate of speed then side swiped the vehicle that's in the median."

It's unclear whether drugs, alcohol or distracted driving were factors in the incident.

Motorists should expect the Highway to be closed for some time as a collision analyst from Lethbridge is being brought in to investigate the incident.

Crews redirecting traffic on alternate routes

Alternative routes south are Highway 23 through Vulcan, or for regular sized vehicles 104th street East (range road 290.)

Larger vehicles cannot take the 104th street route due to summer road bans.

Highway crews are on scene directing traffic.

There's no current estimate as to how long the highway is expected to remain closed.