Date: September 4, 2007
Contact: Melissa Wilson, 406 888-7895

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – A Glacier National Park Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) shuttle bus was involved in a single vehicle accident on Sunday, September 2, 2007, around 2 p.m. The driver, Bennie Gardner, 52, of Kalispell, Mont., had just left the Sprague Creek campground and was about two miles from the Apgar Village turnoff when he appears to have lost control of his vehicle. His shuttle left the road and came to rest 20 feet below the roadway, causing the shuttle’s air bags to deploy. No passengers were aboard the bus at the time of the accident and no other vehicles were involved.

After being stabilized by park visitors and responding park personnel, Gardner was transported by ALERT air helicopter to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was released from the hospital on Tuesday, September 4.

Glacier’s optional Sun Road shuttle service completed this season’s operation on September 3. Approximately 130,000 visitors rode the shuttle over the season which runs from July 1 to Labor Day. Throughout September, the Apgar Transit Center’s restrooms, parking area and automated visitor information will be available to the public.

All shuttle drivers are employees of Workplace, Inc. of Kalispell, Mont.

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