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Tourist chopper aids in rescue

Helicopter lifts injured hiker out of Horseshoe Canyon

A Mountain View Helicopter pilot swooped down to help a hiker in Horseshoe Canyon who had been injured hiking.

On Wednesday, July 2, shortly after 1 p.m the Badlands Ambulance were dispatched to Horseshoe Canyon for the call of a hiker who had possibly broke her ankle.

They called the Drumheller Fire Department for a possible assist, not knowing where in the canyon the injured hiker may be.

Mountain View Helicopters, a company that has been doing tours of the Horseshoe Canyon for about five years offered assistance to the hiker who was about a quarter of a mile into the canyon.

Pilot Slade Smith circled around and managed to find a safe spot near the hiker to set down. Emergency responder Bruce Coad accompanied the patient as they brought her to the top of the canyon and into the waiting ambulance, which took the patient to the Drumheller Health Centre.

Staff of Mountain View Helicopters said in the time they have operated at the canyon they have not heard any other pilot assisting in a medical rescue.

Currie farm to mark centennial

Herbert Campbell Currie never forgot his 21st birthday, it was the day he arrived in western Canada to start a new life, but that was more than 100 years ago.

The Currie Family Farm is turning 100 and his family is planning to celebrate.

Come Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, the Orkney Hall will be the place where the family will be marking the century since Herbert Campbell Currie homesteaded in the Orkney District. Dick and Norma West and Betty and Elmer Currie will be hosting the party.

On July 19, they will be hosting an open house after 4 p.m. There will be dinner at 6 p.m., followed by a special presentation. There will also be a wiener roast and fireworks after dark.

Brown water not a safety concern

Despite the potential for more pockets of discolored water throughout the summer, test and samples have been taken of the water and results indicate that it is safe.

Turbidity and chlorine tests along with bacteriological samples were taken of Drumheller's water. Approximately 30 bacteriological samples and chemical tests confirmed that the water is fine for human consumption. The water leaving the plant has consistently met or exceeded Alberta Environmental requirements.

CAO Ray Romanetz advised “last week divers cleaned out sediment at our clear well at the water treatment plant and they are presently cleaning out sediment for our treated water storage reservoirs.” He further explained that “carrier lines for various chemical feeds are being changed over to ensure that no back feed into the clear well can occur."

The Town is hopeful that further problems regarding water clarity will be minimal, however the public needs to be aware that further pockets of discolored water may occur over the course of the summer.

“If you experience water clarity concerns, please flush your cold water lines,” said Mayor Bryce Nimmo. “Should concerns persist, please call the Town and staff will respond.”

The Town will be conduct ing isolated flushing of the distribution system only if clarity issues persist. The town’s annual distribution system flushing program will be conducted this fall once high water demand has subsided.