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Loader goes through ice at Salt River crossing

A loader from Aurora College tried to cross the Salt River ice road crossing and went through the ice Dec. 11. The college employee attempted to drive the 950 Caterpillar loader across the river without checking the ice stability.

The ice road crossing, located approximately 20 kilometres from the community of Fort Smith, is commonly used to access the fox holes on the Salt River First Nation reserve and for hunting wild game in the area. Temperatures combined with the salt water of the river made for poor ice and unsafe conditions for vehicles.

TDC Contracting has been awarded the contract to remove this unit from the river and mitigate hydro carbon contamination to the river system. The replacement value of the loader is estimated at around $270,000.