Several kids injured when spooked horses crash wagon ride

Crisis teams are assisting families at Ochapowace First Nation after a crash involving a horsedrawn wagon injured 15 people, many of them children.

Esterhazy RCMP responded to the incident at about approximately 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

The crash happened on a grid road just off Highway 247 in the Round Lake area.

Police have determined that two horses pulling a wagon carrying several youths became spooked and broke into a gallop, resulting in the wagon crossing a ditch and coming to a sudden stop in some trees. The wagon did not overturn but the sudden stop resulted in injuries to the passengers.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority said 15 people were treated at hospital. Nine people have now been discharged, and six remained in hospital Friday. The health authority said none of the injuries was life threatening.

Police said STARS Air Ambulance responded to the scene for one potentially serious injury.

The wagon ride was part of an activity happening during the final day of the McKay Camp, an annual family-oriented camp put on by Ochapowace Nation in the Qu’Appelle Valley. The wagon was returning to the camp when the crash happened.

Denise Beaudin, the interim director of operations for Ochapowace Nation, said the wagon was carrying approximately 18 youths and a couple of adults. She said the crash sent several youth flying from the wagon.

Beaudin said the youths’ ages ranged from approximately six to 14 years old.

Beaudin said trauma and mental health services are being provided for families.

Beaudin visited the scene of the crash that night. She said some of the children were lying on the ground covered up in blankets so they could be kept warm while paramedics assessed them.

“By the time I got there, there were still some families that were visibly upset, but again the health staff were there talking to them, consoling them, calming them down,” said Beaudin.

On Friday, staff members continued to debrief families on the situation. A neighbouring community has sent in a trauma team to assist. Beaudin said approximately 200 people were attending the camp.

“It’s a way of bringing them together, bonding with them, building that community spirit,” said Beaudin.

Beaudin said the First Nation has been able to adequately respond to the incident thanks to many community members who have been trained in CPR, as well as staff who have received training in crisis mental health.

“It was amazing to watch them work because everybody just came together and did what they had to do to help out the families and keep the children comfortable,” said Beaudin.

Beaudin said that, as of this morning, the two horses that were pulling the wagon were OK.

Round Lake is approximately 184 km east of Regina.