Hamlet residents are banding together for long-time Bragg Creeker after a single-vehicle collision hospitalized a community artist and his dog.
The rollover that occurred on Oct. 18 on Highway 762 left Horst Hackforth, 76, and his dog Harley with multiple injuries.
“He is a mountain man, horse lover, used to go on trail rides in the mountain – you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know him. He is a well known staple,” said Rob Barrow, long-time friend.
“Horst is stable now but he has a very, very long road to recovery. He has already overcome the worst, now it is just one day at a time.”
Barrow explained that while Hackforth already underwent the major surgery for his broken neck, there were multiple other injuries keeping Hackforth in Foothills Medical Centre and they do not know when he will be able to go back to work.
“He will be out for a very long time, we don’t even know when he will be home, we don’t know anything for a time frame,” Barrow explained.
Hackforth’s dog, Harley, was also injured in the accident when she was “partially ejected from the vehicle,” according to Barrow. Harley ended up being treated at the Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency (CARE) Centre, with veterinary bills totalling approximately $3,000.
“The dog is at home but now we have this enormous vet bill that we will be fundraising to help cover the costs for,” Barrow said.
Hackforth has been a resident of Bragg Creek for the last 35 years since he emigrated from Germany – the Creeker is well known for being the High Country News cover artist for the last 24 years.
Friends and residents are collecting donations at the majority of businesses in Bragg Creek. Anyone wanting to donate can also do so through a trust account for Hackforth at Bragg Creek ATB Financial, located at 7 River Dr.
People can also donate to Harley’s vet bills at the CARE Centre Animal Hospital, for more information call 403-520-8387.
