DeathsalongCrowsnestrailway

In April 1898, four men were killed in the collapse of a trestle bridge along the Crowsnest railway route. A crew was constructing the bridge, known as No. 478, along the east bank of the St. Mary River about nine miles outside of Lethbridge. It was expected that the bridge would be completed by that evening. Instead, the bridge was blown down by the wind. The wind had been blowing all day, but a particularly large gust at about 1 p.m. sent the men hurtling to the ground. A few of the men were able to save themselves by jumping to the banks of the coulee. Most, though, had no warning and some fell upwards of 50 feet to the ground. Eight were injured and were brought by train car into Lethbridge where “all the delivery and spring wagons in town were ready to receive them, and they were conveyed to the Galt Hospital.” (Lethbridge News, April 13, 1898).

Duncan (name also given as Daniel) Ferguson was the first to succumb to his injuries. Leon Riou (name also given as A. Boulanger and Rieux) died shortly after arriving at the Galt Hospital. J. Thompson survived until the next day while Jas. Kenny, whose leg had to be amputated, died from shock a few days later. The four other injured men recovered.

Ferguson, Thompson and Kenny were sent to their respective hometowns for burial while Riou was buried on April 10, 1898 in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

An inquest was held into the accident. The bridge had not yet been fully braced as construction was still underway. The construction was proceeding as it should, but the inquest suggested that because of the winds of the area, there needed to be more care in the temporary bracing of bridge construction in the future and that what was suitable practice elsewhere may need to be improved upon in southern Alberta due to the winds of the area.

You can learn more about the history of Lethbridge and the High Level Bridge at the Galt Museum & Archives.

Your old photos, documents, and artifacts might have historical value. Please contact Galt Museum & Archives for advice before destroying them.