4 July 2005
Horses Die in Plunge
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One of the cowboys on the trail
ride hangs his head after yesterday's tragedy.
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Calgary - Witnesses watched in horror as several horses
plunged off a bridge to their deaths, only a few kilometres from the safety of the Calgary Stampede
grounds.
About 200 wild horses and nearly 50 riders were on the last leg of a more than 200-km
journey that began last Tuesday at the Stampede Ranch in Hanna, when the tragedy happened. Nine of
the broncos died.
Officials were still searching for another horse last night.
The horses were near Ogden Road and 50 Avenue S.E. about 2 p.m. yesterday when they seemed to become
agitated, said witness Dave Brown, who was riding his bicycle when he stopped to watch the herd.
"The riders took them to a nearby grassy area and spent about 10 minutes to settle them
down," the 50-year-old said, minutes after the tragedy happened.
"Then they started the horses out again on Ogden Road and were just coming around the corner,
north on their way towards downtown."
It was at that moment that a freight train hauling dozens of cars came around the corner, he said.
The horses stampeded and broke into a full run, Brown said. "They just bolted."
The horses galloped onto the Bonnybrook Bridge, racing down both lanes of the road.
Several of them were forced into the middle median where they jumped - or were pushed from behind by
others - over a small barrier and plunged about nine metres into the muddy brown waters of the
slow-moving Bow River.
The broken bodies of two of the animals were found directly under the bridge.
Other horses went off the side railings, and at least one ran head-on into a southbound
vehicle.
While it was unknown how many horses actually went into the river, several made it to safety, said
witness Jane Keyser.
Several people were searching the river and its banks late yesterday afternoon.
Police and the fire department had boats in the water.
Mayor Dave Bronconnier said it was a truly "sad day" for the Stampede.
"The Stampede has an excellent safety record, exemplary in terms of animal safety. But things
can sometimes go wrong," he said.
"I'm glad none of the riders were seriously hurt."
The only human injury occurred to champion chuck racer Dallas Dorchester, who was in a wagon ahead
of the herd when the stampede began.
Fighting his own horses, the two-time Rangeland Derby champion managed to maintain
control, although he suffered a groin injury.
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