Colin Hanington recalls the devastating railway collision on February 8, 1986, near Hinton, Alberta, where a CN Rail freight train collided with a Via Rail passenger train, resulting in 23 deaths. As a volunteer firefighter, he experienced the horrific scene firsthand, highlighting the silence amidst chaos and the haunting memories of victims. A public inquiry found the crash stemmed from crew incapacitation and system flaws at CN Rail, prompting safety improvements. Today, memorials and plaques honor the victims, while the tragedy remains a poignant memory for the community.
