Three people, including a Punjabi-origin correctional officer from Ludhiana, were killed when a Correctional Service of Canada vehicle transporting an inmate was involved in a head-on collision in rural Alberta.The deceased have been identified as Correctional Officers Nicolae (Nick) Serban and Ramandeep Kaur Maan, both of the Edmonton Institution for Women, and inmate Kiara Mooswa.According to police, a box truck collided with the Correctional Service of Canada minivan at an intersection about 200 km southeast of Edmonton on Thursday. All three people travelling in the correctional vehicle died at the scene. The driver of the box truck sustained minor injuries.Punjabi-origin officer identified as Ramandeep Kaur MaanAmong those killed was 24-year-old Ramandeep Kaur Maan, who hailed from Gudhe village in Ludhiana district, Punjab.According to members of the South Asian community, Maan had come to Canada as an international student a few years ago. She completed her studies in Manitoba before moving to Alberta and settling in Edmonton about a year ago.Maan had a keen interest in sports and had joined the Correctional Service of Canada as a correctional officer around six months ago, according to the information shared by the community.Her death has left the Punjabi community in Canada and her native village in Punjab mourning.Correctional Service of Canada pays tributeThe Correctional Service of Canada confirmed the deaths and paid tribute to the two officers.In a statement, the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada said:“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of Correctional Officers Nicolae Serban and Ramandeep Kaur Maan of Edmonton Institution for Women, who tragically lost their lives yesterday while carrying out their duties in service to Canada.”The Commissioner said the two officers’ commitment to public safety and dedication to their work reflected the values of the Correctional Service of Canada.“Their commitment to public safety, professionalism, and dedication to their work exemplified the values of the Correctional Service of Canada,” the statement said.The Commissioner also expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of both officers, describing them as valued members of the CSC family.The statement also acknowledged the death of Mooswa, who was in the custody of the correctional service at the time of the crash.“We also mourn the loss of Kiara Mooswa, who was in our care and custody at the time of the accident, and extend our condolences to her family, friends, and community,” the Commissioner said.Police investigating cause of crashPeople injured in the collision were taken to hospital. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, while the exact cause of the collision has not yet been determined.The accident has prompted condolences from the correctional service and members of the communities connected to the three people who died.