SUNDRE — Although there were no major emergencies or impaired driving investigations carried out over the Labour Day long weekend, the local RCMP detachment nevertheless had its hands fairly full.
From Friday, Sept. 3 to Monday, Sept. 6, the Sundre department received 32 calls for service, with concerns ranging from municipal bylaw complaints about parties to motor vehicle collisions causing injury as well as suspicious activity such as thefts and break and enters, said Cpl. Resus Organ.
But the Sundre RCMP detachment’s acting commander said that overall, the “last official long weekend for camping was a success.”
Mounties responded to a couple of complaints regarding campers who were drinking and riding their ATVs, but the suspects were already gone by the time police arrived, said Organ.
There was also a collision that resulted in injuries when a dirt bike crossing Rig Street from the east at Mile Marker 15 on a blind corner from a ditch was hit by a truck, he said, adding the rider was transported out of the West Country by a STARS air ambulance.
“The rider suffered a couple minor breaks, severe tissue damage and joint sprains. Alcohol was not a factor in this collision,” the corporal said.
On behalf of the Sundre RCMP detachment, Organ expressed gratitude to emergency medical services, STARS as well as the Caroline Fire Department for the speedy response as well as their knowledge of the area and “their fine work with the rider and keeping all parties involved calm.”
The corporal also provided assistance to Mountain View County officials who were forced to shut down an outdoor music festival north and east of Sundre that did not have permits and was in violation of county bylaws.
“Local residents reported trespassers crossing over their land to access the music festival,” said Organ, adding police also received noise complaints from the music as well as mischief to property “as the guests were defecating and urinating in local crops.”
The music festival’s organizers have been issued fines by the county.
Meawhile, the long weekend for the Sundre Fire Department was mostly tame, with members responding to numerous calls for medical assistance, but otherwise no structure fires or motor vehicle collisions.
“It was a very quiet weekend for us,” said the department's chief, Ross Clews.
