Four people hurt, horse dies following wagon crash in Williams Lake area

Four people were taken to hospital and a horse is dead after a wagon crashed over a 12-metre embankment near Williams Lake on Tuesday.

The accident happened near Farwell Canyon during an eight-day wagon train from the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation to Williams Lake.

The horse-pulled wagon was carrying eight people when it lost control coming down a hill and went off the road.

RCMP officers from Alexis Creek and Williams Lake, search and rescue crews, and an air ambulance crew pulled the people to safety.

“Fortunately all the individuals involved in this accident were conscious when rescuers arrived,” said Cpl. Madonna Saunderson, of the RCMP’s North District.

In a Facebook post, Xeni Gwet’in Wagon Trip volunteer Gailene William said four people — including three elders — were flown to hospital. “We’ve since learned that one has been discharged but two have been sent to Kamloops hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Our two wagon drivers were assessed at the scene by paramedics and were allowed to go with their families. Two more ladies were also assessed and released at the scene,” William said.

RCMP said one person was listed in serious condition in hospital.

One of the horses involved in the accident had to be euthanized.

“Sadly we had to put down one of the horses involved in the accident, after receiving permission to do so from one of the elders involved in the ride,” said Saunderson.

The eighth annual wagon trip was to culminate with Thursday’s start of the Williams Lake Stampede rodeo.

According to the First Nations Health Authority, the wagon trip is meant to honour ancestors who travelled by horse and wagon to the Williams Lake area for the Stampede and to trade with neighbouring communities.