Three people and 23 cattle were killed last year while heading home from the Western Canadian Dairy Classic in Brandon
The Western Canadian Dairy Classic took a moment to acknowledge a deadly crash that took place last year following the 2022 youth dairy show.
Following the event in Brandon, the semi carrying 24 cattle from Team British Columbia and Team Alberta was involved in a head-on collision with a logging truck.
The Aug. 28 crash near Golden, B.C., killed three people: Jagsir Gill, Brandon Johnson and Tanner Liefting.
As well, all but one of the cattle were killed.
A year later, the 2023 event held Aug. 22-26 in Saskatoon remembered the three people who died in the crash.
Everyone was affected by the crash in some way, said Western Canadian Classic chair Nancy Friesen. The tight-knit community was quick to band together, she said.
“That’s what our industry does is we try to help each other and connect with other people and try to get people in the right places that are really strong in that area to say, how can we help them to support them.”
Gill, Johnson and Liefting were remembered during a moment of silence during the event’s opening ceremonies. Liefting and Johnson were in the truck carrying the animals from the show at in Brandon.
Friesen said so much has already been done and she doesn’t want it to overshadow an overall positive event.
“We’re glad that they’re able to come back this year, especially with the new fires again this year. It’s been a challenge for them to get here.”
While it was a difficult situation to be in, WCC treasurer Debbie Baars said everyone got through it and young members wanted to continue being part of the program.
“They enjoy coming back and meeting new people and friends from last year and they make connections that last a lifetime so that helps them through things like this.”
Gerard Baars, former chair of WCC, said the support the team received after the crash was appreciated.
Supreme sponsor WestGen took over much of the logistics and fundraising.
“Our main concern was the kids in the beginning,” he said. “So there were some counselling sessions that we had set up at the time and they went well.”
Those lines of support are still open for anyone in need, both for young people and adults, he said.
Gerard said young participants involved in WCC build tight friendships that span across provincial borders.
“I’m sure there was lots of support and lots of communication between the kids when all this happened, I know within our province for sure within our team, but even with the other teams, there was lots of support.”
Beyond the devastating loss of life from the crash, Gerard said he could not put a price on the monetary loss of the animals, equipment and personal belongings that were also lost in the crash.
The truck was on its way to the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong where the kids were going to show their cattle. Every member of Team B.C. had an animal on the transport. Other animals belonged to Team Alberta.
One animal survived and was returned to its owner, where it is now part of a milking herd.
