Victims of Highway 1 fatal semi-truck crash identified
The three men who died after two semi-trucks collided on Highway 1 yesterday morning have been identified by friends and family members.
Lower Mainland resident Brandon Richard Johnson was a passenger in a semi truck transporting cattle that was being driven by Lower Mainland resident Tanner Liefting along the Trans-Canada Highway yesterday morning, Aug. 28, according to friends and family via social media and a GoFundMe page started in honour of Johnson. A GoFundMe page has also been launched for Liefting.
Jagsir Singh Gill, from Calgary, was driving a Canadian National Trucking semi-truck involved in the crash, said relative Kiranjit Gill.
She described him as a “very cool person.”
The Golden-Field RCMP, B.C. Highway Patrol and Emergency Services responded to a crash involving the two semi trucks on Highway 1 at the Yoho National Park west gate, approximately 35 km east of Golden, according to police in a news release.
The RCMP reported one of the trucks drove into oncoming traffic and caused a head-on collision but the investigation is ongoing. The highway is still closed today, Aug. 29 but expected to open at 3 p.m.
READ MORE: Highway 1 remains closed due to fatal accident
The cattle truck also contained prize-winning animals that were owned by Shuswap and Okanagan 4H clubs. They were set to be showcased at the Salmon Arm Fair in September and at the Armstrong IPE, said Jim McEwan, manager of the Salmon Arm Fair.
“Our convener was one of the families that lost some cattle. It’s just a shock. It’s just devastating for all the families, obviously for those who lost their lives. The kids work so hard with their animals and to lose them in such a horrible, horrific accident is beyond words,” he said.
“It’s going to leave a black mark on the livestock shows.”
The local clubs were involved in a Manitoba show and the animals were being transported back to the Shuswap. Only one animal survived the crash and it is also from the region, he said. He didn't yet have the number on how many cattle were lost.
“I’m not sure what the next steps are, but it will be a huge loss,” he said.
The dairy calves were being transported from the Western Canadian Classic junior dairy show in Manitoba prior to the accident, said Aleda Welch, 4-H Club B.C. manager, in an emailed statement.
"Even though the WCC is not a 4-H event, it is attended by many 4-H members from the western provinces including the Shuswap-Okanagan and Fraser Valley areas of B.C."
The Armstrong IPE could not be immediately reached for comment.
- This story was updated at 2:43 p.m. with a statement from the 4-H Club.
- This story was updated at 7:20 a.m., Aug. 31, 2022 to add a link to the GoFundMe page for Liefting
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