Your Calgary Herald

Two horses killed after chucks wreck
Driver taken to hospital after being thrown
John Down and Kim Guttormson, Calgary Herald
Published: Sunday, July 15, 2007

A violent chuckwagon crash Saturday at the Calgary Stampede's GMC Rangeland Derby led to the deaths of two horses and the hospitalization of one driver.

Tyler Helmig, a 45-year-old driver from Leduc, was ejected from his chuckwagon after it ran into the downed lead team of horses of Gary Gorst as they rounded the first turn of the seventh heat.

EMS spokesman Mike Plato said Helmig was taken to Foothills Hospital with a possible broken arm and hip injuries. His injuries were considered non life-threatening. Gorst was not injured.

Calgary Humane Society peace officer Joan Treich said one horse died at the scene when its broken pelvis severed an artery and "death would have been fairly rapid" she said.

The horse died before the vet arrived. The second horse suffered a leg fracture and was euthanized in the barn, Treich said.

The Humane Society has determined the horses received the care required. They will submit a report after Stampede and will review the particulars of the accident.

"We'll see what we're dealing with, whether it was interference, or what led up to it. If it was an accident or some kind of error" Treich said.

Helmig's wife Cindy, his son and brother went to the hospital with him where he was undergoing X-rays. Friend John Lee said all Helmig's horses had been vet checked and were fine.

Lee said everyone was concerned. "We new it was Tyler because of the yellow jacket," he said. "All the horses came back and are fine.

"It's Tyler first and horses second. We'll deal with the rest in the morning."

Head barn girl Laura Malcher said many have offered to help in today's race.

"We'll wait until morning and see what Tyler says," she said.

A distraught Gorst didn't want to comment.

The crash was triggered when Gorst and Ray Mitsuing's outfits bumped together just moments before.

Outrider Chanse Vigen was able to jump from his horse onto the pole of Helmig's wagon and, with assistance from other outriders, bring it to a stop without incident.

Helmig is a former finalist making his 12th appearance in the sport's richest show. His rig finished the race.

These are the first horse deaths of 2007 Stampede.