Three people travelling in a P.E.I. ambulance have died after the emergency vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a transport truck near the Confederation Bridge Tuesday morning, RCMP say.

New Brunswick RCMP confirmed in an email to CBC News that a 77-year-old woman from Montague, P.E.I.; a 56-year-old man from Warren Grove, P.E.I.; and a 23-year-old woman from Nine Mile Creek, P.E.I., died at the scene.

According to a Facebook post by P.E.I. emergency services, Island EMS, two of the victims were paramedics and the other was a patient in their care. The statement did not disclose their identities.

The driver of the transport truck, whose age or identity was not disclosed, was brought to hospital with what police believe are non-life-threatening injuries.

Members of the Sackville RCMP detachment first responded to reports of a two-vehicle collision at 9:11 a.m. AT Tuesday morning in Melrose, a community in Strait Shores about 12 km southwest of the bridge.

The 56-year-old man was driving the ambulance, while RCMP described the others as passengers in the vehicle. Their identities have not been disclosed by police.

Police say they believe the driver of the ambulance was travelling westbound when the collision occurred.

“Our thoughts are with the families involved and with the entire first responder community during this difficult time,” Codiac Regional RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Luc Picard wrote in the email.

Island EMS encouraged community members not to speculate on what happened in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon, which said, “Out of respect for those involved and their loved ones, we ask that our community honour those affected without speculation, but instead with compassion and patience as they navigate the difficult days ahead.”

Jodi Boland, who lives on Route 16 near Upper Cape Road, said she saw smoke from her home’s window Tuesday morning. When she went outside, she said she saw two ambulances, two fire trucks and “a lot” of police cars.

Picard said police are investigating the collision, and that no further information will be released at this time. Both vehicles were sent for mechanical inspection.

Although the roundabout near the community of Port Elgin is now open, part of Route 16 near Melrose remains closed to traffic.