A career chuckwagon driver injured in a horrifying pile-up during the first day of the Calgary Stampede died July 11.
Bill McEwan of Lloydminster died of massive head injuries after he was thrown from his rig.
A wheel from a wagon driven by McEwan’s son Larry struck a horse pulling the elder McEwan’s rig. The horse tumbled and caused a chain reaction of crashes.
The injured were carried off the track by air ambulance. McEwan was revived on the track but never regained consciousness.
Another driver, Ron David, remains in hospital with chest and leg injuries sustained during the same accident. Outrider George Mechatis was also sent to hospital.
Only one other driver has ever died in the half-mile race. Scotty Chapin was killed in 1960 when his wagon tipped. Two outriders were killed in 1996 and 1971 respectively.
