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Janice Cairns: Calgary Mom Killed By Rock Hurled From Passing Truck In B.C., Identified

Calgary Mom Killed By Rock Flying Through Windshield Identified
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A Calgary woman who died in a bizarre rock hurling accident in British Columbia has been identified.

Janice Cairns, died after being struck by a rock which went through the windshield of the car she was in.

The 36-year-old Calgary mom was a passenger in the front seat of the family vehicle travelling northbound on Hwy 93/95 in B.C. when she was struck by the rock, a release from B.C. Coroners Service stated.

"A large rock was thrown up from the wheels of a truck-trailer unit travelling southbound. The rock entered the passenger compartment of the Cairns vehicle through the windshield and struck Mrs. Cairns, killing her instantly," the release says.

No other passengers in the vehicle were injured.

RCMP say Cairns, the mother of two young children who were in the back seat of the vehicle at the time of the accident, was vacationing with her family in Kimberley.

An approximately 30-centimetre boulder smashed through the windshield of the family's car and hit Cairns in the head, killing her instantly.

Investigators believe the rock may have been wedged between the tandem wheels of the southbound trailer.

"It's like being hit by lightning, it's just a freak accident," said RCMP Cpl. Tom Brannigan.

The Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate the death.

With files from CP

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