Investigation continues into wagon crash that injured six
EDMONTON Horse-related activities at Fort Edmonton Park will remain suspended until a full review into a horse-drawn wagon rollover that injured six people is complete.
A preliminary investigation into Wednesday’s crash has revealed that a rein slipped from the wagon driver’s hand and as she went to recover it, the two horses began running across an open field about 300 metres long.
Just what spooked the horses is still a mystery, president and CEO of Fort Edmonton Management Company Darren Dalgleish said in an interview on Friday.
A veterinarian told Dalgleish it could have been a wasp or bee sting, a loud noise or a combination of both.
“Witnesses are saying that she (the driver) was leaning back and pulling with everything she had. You and I together with a huge breakfast probably couldn’t stop them,” he said.
Despite hauling back on the reins, the horses continued to accelerate until they reached a grove at which point the wagon and one of the horses collided with a tree.
The driver was uninjured in the crash and returned to work the following day.
One of the passengers suffered serious injuries while the other five visitors suffered minor injuries. All six were transported to hospitals across the city.
One of the horses has worked at the park for five years while the injured horse had been at in service for 15 years.
Dalgleish said the horses have been working together for three years.
“We are perplexed by this,” he said, adding that there is always unpredictability when working with animals.
“It is commendable that the driver knew how to take evasive action and did everything she could to try to stop them.
“We are trying to take a little bit of comfort in the response to the crash that helped limit the damage and injuries.”
Dalgleish said that the voluntary suspension of horse-involved activities was “cautionary” rather than a “corrective action” adding that the investigation is likely to take “several weeks” to complete.
A full debrief was held for about 15 staff members on Thursday and Occupational Health and Safety investigators have visited the park.