Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Rae-Edzo (Aug 07/00) - A Yellowknife man was killed instantly when his mini-van flipped on Highway 3 Friday evening about 11 p.m.

Michael Proulx, 49, was returning from a trip to the North Arm Park with his wife Esther and son when the accident happened. The campsite is located at the north end of Great Slave Lake.

RCMP say the accident was immediately discovered by drivers on the highway.

Proulx was pronounced dead at the scene by Rae paramedics. The two other occupants of the van were medevaced to Stanton Regional Hospital by helicopter and later released with minor injuries.

The accident occurred about 46 kilometres southwest of Rae when the mini-van hit the shoulder of the road and rolled into the ditch, flipping into a roadside pond.

"It had nothing to do with the road," said Const. Jim Forsey of the RCMP Rae Detachment, adding that the driver was not speeding and there were no indication of alcohol involved.

The road was briefly closed to make way for emergency services and so police could question witnesses, he added. The van was totally wrecked.

RCMP are continuing their investigation.