OLDS — A man in his 70s was rushed by STARS air ambulance to Calgary today, Feb. 8 after suffering what emergency crews called a “traumatic injury” at a gate at the Olds Auction Mart & Rosehill Auction Service.
STARS manager of external relations and marketing, Deborah Tetley, said the man suffered a head injury when hit by a gate.
Olds RCMP commanding officer Staff Sgt. Warren Wright says the matter has been referred to Occupational Health and Safety officials for investigation.
“My understanding is there was some cattle movement and the cattle had bumped the gate or something like that and the gate kind of pushed out and then struck this man, who I believe to be an employee of the auction mart, and struck him down,” Wright said.
Wright gave the man's age as 71. Tetley said he was about 75.
The victim was transported to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.
“The matter has been referred to Occupational Health and Safety for further investigation,” Wright said.
Tetley said Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was dispatched to the scene at 10:24 a.m.
“They spoke to a doctor – I believe one of the STARS doctors -- and that’s when they made the decision to transport him via STARS to Calgary,” she said.
Olds Fire Department and Olds RCMP also responded.
Olds Fire Department Chief Justin Andrew said the fire department's role was to secure a large enough perimeter at the scene so the helicopter could land safely.
A call to Olds Auction Mart/Rosehill Auction Service had not been returned by press time.
