First responders were kept unusually busy responding to three serious car accidents over a span of 12 hours June 22.
The first accident involved a tractor-trailer roll over about 10 km west of the Jasper townsite around 5:10 a.m.
Jasper RCMP said the driver suffered minor injuries.
According to Jasper Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem, it’s not unusual for Jasper’s first responders to attend numerous accidents in a single day during the summer season, but typically those days come later in the season.
“It seems like it’s come a little bit earlier this year,” he said. “You get three of four days like this in a year.”
The second accident of the day left a 28-year-old man dead after his motorcycle collided with a Parks Canada truck on Miette Road around 11:40 a.m., according to an RCMP press release.
The motorcyclist was travelling up the road toward the Miette Hot Springs when he crossed the centreline on a curved portion of the road. The rider of the motorcycle then lost control and collided with the oncoming pickup truck.
The motorcyclist, who is from Sylvan Lake, was pronounced dead on scene. The driver of the truck did not sustain any physical injuries, according to the RCMP.
“As the matter is under investigation by the RCMP, Parks Canada cannot comment further,” said Rupert Wedgwood, visitor safety specialist for JNP, in an emailed statement.
The motorcyclist was travelling with two other motorcycles and his girlfriend, who was following in an SUV. The group did not witness the accident, but were visibly shaken by it.
The third accident of the day, around 4 p.m., left a women with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, after a van she was travelling in hit a camper van on Highway 16 near Moberly Bridge.
Paramedics and firefighters helped her out of the passenger seat and stabilized her right ankle before transporting her to the Seton Healthcare Centre.
The accident forced police to partially close Highway 16 with only one lane of traffic getting by at a time.
Traffic on the bridge was also stopped for the accident.
The road reopened about an hour later, shortly after 5 p.m.
“We have a fairly large contingent of volunteers, probably more than most small communities have so we are able to do multiple calls,” said Van Tighem.
“That’s the bonus of having such committed volunteers, these guys are always willing to step up.”
During the June 23 committee-of-the-whole meeting, Mayor Richard Ireland took a moment to acknowledge the work of Jasper’s first responders, expressing appreciation for their dedication.
Paul Clarke
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