Fundraiser launched after Highway 22X crash leaves two Sterling Crane operators critically injured
GoFundMe tops $30,000 after a Highway 22X crash left two Sterling Crane operators critically injured and airlifted to Foothills Medical Centre near Carseland.
Two workers airlifted after six-vehicle collision
Two long-term Sterling Crane employees were critically injured Thursday in a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 22X, according to a fundraiser organizer.
The pair were airlifted to the Foothills Medical Centre after emergency crews responded to the six-vehicle crash, which occurred as crews were returning from a dayshift near Carseland.
Organizer describes sequence of events
Chris Kosmack, who launched a GoFundMe campaign for the injured men, said the vehicle carrying the workers was struck from behind at highway speeds.
Kosmack told reporters the impact pushed their vehicle into oncoming lanes, triggering the broader collision that involved multiple other vehicles.
Nature of injuries and hospital status
Kosmack said the driver, identified as Evan Tyler, suffered severe orthopedic and spinal trauma, including fractures to both femurs, a fractured knee and a broken cervical vertebra.
The second worker, Joe Derosa, sustained a fractured femur; both men were described as stable in hospital but facing lengthy recoveries from life-threatening injuries.
Community fundraiser and response
An online fundraiser started early Friday morning had surpassed $30,000 by that evening, with a target of $50,000 to help cover medical bills and family expenses.
Kosmack said donations came quickly from colleagues and people in the Calgary-area community, and he expressed gratitude for the rapid outpouring of support.
Workplace impact and financial concerns
Both men are long-serving employees of Sterling Crane and are expected to be off work for an extended period while recovering.
Kosmack said the goal of the fundraiser is to provide immediate financial stability for the families while surgeries, rehabilitation and follow-up care proceed.
Road safety and rural highway risks
The crash, which occurred on a stretch of Highway 22X used by many industrial crews commuting to and from job sites, underscores hazards that can arise when collisions happen at high speed.
Observers note that rear-end collisions at highway velocity frequently raise the risk of secondary accidents, especially on two-lane and undivided rural routes.
Next steps for families and recovery
Kosmack said he will coordinate with families and medical staff to ensure donations are used to cover surgical costs, rehabilitation and household needs while both men are out of work.
Friends and co-workers have organized support networks to help with logistics, and the fundraiser page remains open as they assess longer-term needs.
The crash and subsequent emergency response have drawn attention from the local community, which has rallied to support the injured workers and their families while they begin what is expected to be a lengthy rehabilitation process.
