Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (July 04/05) - A Fort Smith woman has died as a result of a car crash last week on Highway 5, about 90km east of Hay River.

The victim has been identified by police as 46-year-old Lorraine Bourke, who was a passenger in the car.

The accident occurred when the northbound vehicle tried to avoid hitting a moose on the highway, late Thursday afternoon on June 30, just south of the Sandy Lake turnoff.

The driver lost control of the 1985 Mercury Cougar and it left the highway, coming to rest in some trees.

According to Hay River RCMP, Bourke was ejected from the vehicle, which did not roll, and sustained head and internal injuries.

Police noted the victim was not wearing a seat belt.

Members of the Hay River Fire Department used a chain saw to remove trees and the jaws of life to cut away an open door to gain access to the woman.

Bourke was transported to hospital in Hay River.

She died at about 2 a.m. on Friday, July 1.

The 40-year-old male driver, also from Fort Smith, received minor injuries, such as scratches and abrasions, and was taken by ambulance to hospital in Hay River.

Police say alcohol was not a factor in the accident.