Worker Missing After Crane Plunges Into River
A 300-ton crane crashed through a bridge railing south of Grande Prairie on Tuesday, plunging 50 feet into the Wapiti River. The driver has not been found.
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A worker remains missing after a 300-ton crane crashed through the railing of Wapiti River Bridge, south of Grande Prairie, on Tuesday, June 16.
Emergency crews arrived just after 9 a.m. following reports that the crane truck and its driver had plummeted 50 feet into the water below. Police, fire, and EMS responded along with marine vessels to search the river's surface, nearby banks, and surrounding areas. No witnesses reported seeing the driver resurface.
A helicopter was dispatched to assist, though no rescue divers were available in the region to launch an underwater search. The crane remains submerged.
The highway was closed for several hours as responders worked before the southbound lane was later reopened. "The status of the driver is unknown at this time," said Cpl. Mathew Howell, public information officer with K Division RCMP.
Canada's Occupational Health and Safety were notified, and an investigation is underway. Wapiti Bridge, approximately five kilometres south of Grande Prairie, sits on a boundary between the County of Grande Prairie to the north and the Municipal District of Greenview to the south. Highway 40 and the bridge underwent significant upgrades completed in December 2025.