Wednesday July 24, 2013 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST Included
Happy times
MarTHa WiCkeTT/OBSeRVeR
Elder Francis Johnson Sr. from the Esk’etemc First Nation at Alkali Lake beams at friends during the 30th Skwlax Pow Wow held July 20-21 at the Little Shuswap pow wow grounds near Quaaout Lodge. More than 260 dancers from throughout western Canada and Washington State gathered to dance, drum and renew connections.
Diesel spilled in transport accident By Tracy Hughes OBSeRVeR STAFF
A transport truck driver took a rockier ride than expected Friday when he crossed the westbound lane of traffic on the Transcanada Highway, went over an embankment, plowed through a farmer’s field and two fences before coming to rest on the patio of a residence at 3171 50th Street ne. The impact ruptured the truck’s front diesel tanks, which began leaking fuel onto the lawn. A containment fence was erected at the site to prevent the fuel from running off into canoe creek and, an hour after the crash, firefighters were still
working to contain the spill. Fortunately the owner of the home had steel gallon drums available, so Salmon Arm Fire department crews were using those to hold the leaking diesel. The driver narrowly avoided striking both a car and a van parked near the home; however, the truck did strike some lawn chairs and a kid’s plastic swimming pool. The homeowner was inside the residence at the time of the crash; no one was outside. The truck driver was taken to hospital for a medical assessment, but he was able to walk to the ambulance without assistance.
“The driver of the truck had lost consciousness following a coughing fit,” explained RcMP Staff Sgt. Kevin Keane. “He was taken to hospital and later released without major injury.” Police said it was remarkable that no one was hurt in the crash, noting a few cars apparently needed to make evasive maneuvers to avoid the eastbound semi as it crossed the westbound lane of heavy summer traffic. Given the medical situation, Keane says no charges are appropriate under the Motor Vehicle Act. The highway was open to traffic but with some delays for emergency crews to access the site.
This week The iconic fountain at McGuire Lake is back and fully operational. Check out A4. A Salmon Arm biologist is bringing his outdoor expertise to television. See A21.
TraCy HugHes/OBSeRVeR
Close call: RCMP officers survey the scene where a semi-truck went off the Trans-Canada Highway, across a lane of traffic and through a field before coming to a stop right beside a residence.
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Time Out..................... A8 Life & Times ............. A12 Sports............... A17-A19 Arts & Events ... A20-A22 Vol. 106, No. 30, 44 pages