Terrifying disaster strikes Wisconsin orchard: Dozens injured in shocking wagon overturn

A peaceful field trip to Bushel and a Peck Apple Orchard in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, turned into a scene of chaos when a wagon carrying children and adults overturned, injuring more than two dozen people. The accident, which happened on the morning of September 18, 2024, left three individuals critically injured, while others sustained serious or minor injuries. Emergency personnel rushed to the scene to treat the victims, who included children from St. Mark Lutheran School in Eau Claire and their chaperones.

The accident occurred when a tractor pulling two wagons began to lose control while navigating a hill on the orchard’s property. As one wagon tipped over, its passengers were thrown from their seats, resulting in injuries. Authorities reported that the tractor had been moving at a low speed, but the downhill descent caused the wagon to turn sideways and ultimately overturn. Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes described the scene as “heart-wrenching,” noting the traumatic impact on both children and adults. The sheriff himself assisted in calming the children and helping reunite them with their parents after the incident.

Mass response mobilised to save lives

Emergency services from across the region were quickly activated under a mass casualty protocol to deal with the scale of the event. Ambulances from multiple agencies, including Chippewa Falls Fire Department and Mayo Clinic Health Systems, rushed to transport victims to nearby hospitals. One helicopter from the Mayo Clinic was dispatched to airlift the most critically injured victim. In total, 25 individuals were transported for medical attention, with some being taken in personal vehicles by bystanders.

The critical nature of the accident led to an extensive medical response. According to a spokesperson from Marshfield Medical Center in Eau Claire, seven patients were treated for injuries ranging from minor to serious. Fortunately, by late afternoon, authorities confirmed that all patients were in stable condition.

Expert opinion: Addressing safety risks

Safety concerns around outdoor activities like this are brought into sharp focus by such tragic incidents. While accidents of this nature are rare, experts say that extra precautions should always be taken on such trips. Given the inherent unpredictability of tractor-pulled wagon rides on uneven terrain, some safety professionals suggest more rigorous maintenance of equipment and pre-trip checks of routes to identify potential hazards. In this case, while the tractor was moving slowly, the sloping terrain contributed significantly to the loss of control.

Sheriff Hakes further emphasised that incidents like these are every parent’s worst nightmare. “As a parent myself, this is a parent’s greatest fear,” he said, pointing out the importance of remaining sensitive to how families are informed about such accidents. He praised the children for being resilient despite the trauma they faced.

A tragic day, but hope remains

While this day will undoubtedly be remembered as a dark one, many victims’ quick recovery has provided some solace. Parents of the children who were able to return home have expressed gratitude for the rapid and efficient response from local emergency services.

Investigators are still piecing together the exact circumstances that led to the wagon’s loss of control. At the time of writing, Bushel and a Peck Apple Orchard had not issued a formal statement, and it remains unclear if any future safety measures will be implemented to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

Chippewa Falls, located about 12 miles northeast of Eau Claire, is a small community now coming to terms with the aftermath of a tragic accident that could have been far worse.