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A section of the Trans-Canada Highway was closed for hours on Tuesday following a fatal crash east of Strathmore, Alta.

Calgary EMS said the collision between a tow truck and a semi-trailer happened at around 3:45 a.m.

Cpl. Jay Salmon with the Strathmore RCMP said the driver of the semi-truck told investigators his vehicle was hit from behind by the tow truck.

“He was in motion and the [tow truck] wasn’t slowing down or stopping or anything,” he said. “It appears that the tow truck just came up and rear-ended the back of the semi-truck at highway speeds.”

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The driver of the tow truck, a 44-year-old man from the Strathmore area, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi-truck was uninjured. Police said there were no passengers in either of the vehicles.

Correction: WB Hwy1 closed at RR 233, east of Strathmore, due to MVC. (6:34am) #ABRoads https://t.co/kLfxpoS39m — 511 Alberta (@511Alberta) August 29, 2017

Emergency crews were on scene for much of the day, causing major delays.

Occupational health and safety and RCMP are investigating.

Strathmore is located about 40 kilometres east of Calgary.

Emergency crews respond to a fatal crash on Highway 1 east of Strathmore, Alta., on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017. Global News / Paul MacEachern Emergency crews respond to a fatal crash on Highway 1 east of Strathmore, Alta., on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017. Global News / Paul MacEachern

– With files from Doug Vaessen and Erika Tucker

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