Police, EMS answer calls for rowdiness, assault, heat stroke
CRAVEN The RCMP charged a man with domestic assault Thursday night at the Country Thunder Saskatchewan grounds at Craven.
“It was a domestic-type assault where the parties were known to each other, and there’s a court date set, and the individual was released,” RCMP Sgt. Craig Cleary said Friday morning.
There was no weapon involved, according to Cleary.
As of Friday morning, the RCMP had responded to 18 calls for service on-site in the last 24 hours, including mischief, three assaults, two instances of disturbing the peace and six cases of public intoxication. The RCMP issued one roadside suspension and detained five people.
RCMP traffic services in the area surrounding Craven issued 21 warnings, four alcohol and gaming regulation tickets, one roadside suspension and 11 speeding tickets. Two drivers were charged for driving with suspended licences.
During a morning media briefing, Cleary stressed the RCMP and SGI do not want to see people driving under the influence.
“It’s just not worth taking the chances. Not worth risking the lives of themselves as the drivers or other people in the public,” he said.
With temperatures on Thursday reaching the high-20 C range, Country Thunder Saskatchewan organizers were keeping their eyes open for anyone who may have heat stroke. EMS treated approximately 26 people for heat stroke, with no one requiring transport to hospital.
“People are being smart so far, drinking plenty of water, sunscreen, hats. A little breeze out here doesn’t hurt but overall things are going pretty well so far and we look forward to three more days of the same,” said Gerry Krochak, festival director of marketing and media.
People are being smart so far, drinking plenty of water, sunscreen, hats. A little breeze out here doesn’t hurt but overall things are going pretty well so far.
The first night of concerts at the festival went well with approximately 7,000 people attending the Road Hammers performance in the beer gardens. The festival grounds were busy Thursday with people arriving for the weekend.
“We’re not completely sold out here. At its peak I think we’re going to have 4,000 campers, which is probably right around normally what it is,” Krochak said.
The festival continues throughout the weekend until Sunday.