Fatal Crash on Highway 125 Highlights Need for Safety and the Power of CPR
A fatal single-vehicle crash on Highway 125 near Balls Creek has renewed concerns about road safety in the area. The 79-year-old driver involved in the collision passed away Monday afternoon in hospital, while his 78-year-old passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Both were transported to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
For full details, you can read the original news report here:
👉 Fatal crash raises concerns about Highway 125 safety
A Dangerous Stretch of Road
According to witnesses, heavy rain and deep roadway ruts played a major role in the crash. Kenneth Jackson, one of about a dozen bystanders who stopped to help, described the moment the vehicle lost control
“There’s two big ruts in the road. I think he got in the middle of the ruts and the truck just took off,” Jackson said. “It was raining heavy. The truck hydroplaned, flipped two or three times on the road, another three times in the ditch, and landed in about two feet of water.”
Jackson said rescuers struggled to open the truck door as rain continued to pour down. Nurses and other women on scene cared for the passenger while several others worked to free her husband from the vehicle.
Frenchvale fire chief Mark Voutier added that this was the second major accident in the same area of Highway 125 within just over a week, both occurring in heavy rain. He emphasized that the rutting on this section of road commonly causes hydroplaning, catching drivers off guard.
Community Response: CPR Delivered by Bystanders
In the critical minutes before paramedics arrived, multiple bystanders took turns performing CPR on the driver.
“The people who stopped, they did a great job. Everyone was helping or trying to help,” Voutier said.
Their quick action reflects what first responders know well: CPR performed immediately can significantly increase survival rates during cardiac arrest or severe trauma.
Despite the community’s efforts, the driver later died in hospital. However, the actions of those on scene demonstrate how essential CPR knowledge can be—especially since emergencies happen without warning.
Calls for Highway Repairs
Local fire chiefs and community members agree that the dangerous stretch of highway needs urgent repairs. Rutting has been identified along approximately six kilometres between Highway 105 and Exit 6.
Paul Colton, regional construction manager with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, confirmed that repair estimates have been prepared and funding discussions are underway:
“It is a high priority for the department… We are in the process of putting a package together so we can get the work done in the near future.”
The proposed repairs, estimated at $1 million, include milling and repaving affected lanes.
Why CPR Training Matters
This tragic incident serves as a powerful reminder that emergencies can unfold quickly—and often in everyday settings like highways, workplaces, and homes. In this case, bystanders stepped in immediately, giving the driver the best possible chance until help arrived.
CPR is a simple, proven life-saving skill that anyone can learn.
If you want to gain the same confidence and abilities shown by bystanders in this incident, consider taking a certified course. You can explore CPR and AED training options here:
👉 https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
Learn CPR Today
Being prepared can make all the difference during an emergency. Enrolling in a certified CPR and first aid course provides the skills needed to respond effectively when seconds matter.
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