The Covered Wagon Didn’t Survive. Mule Polly Did. Newfoundland Crash.

Published October 6, 2012

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

This wasn’t the way I planned to end my voyage across Newfoundland by mule and wagon. Saturday afternoon, October 6 2012, a four-door vehicle drove head-on into the back of my wagon. There were no skid marks or signs of collision avoidance at the scene. The impact was strong enough to separate the wagon in two. Mule Polly, the driver of the vehicle and I are okay.

Wrecked covered wagon split in two after car collision, Long Rider Bernie Harberts Newfoundland journey, Lethbridge NL — Scene of the accident. In the foreground, the front half of my wagon after it was struck from behind by a four door sedan. The wagon came apart upon impact and the front half of the wagon came to rest approximately 45 feet from the aft end. Inspecting the wreckage is Jesse Peddle. Mule Polly is okay. Three law enforcement vehicles and a tow truck responded to the accident. (Lethbridge, Newfoundland)

Front half of covered wagon overturned on its side after crash, Lethbridge Newfoundland, Long Rider Bernie Harberts — The front part of the wagon as it came to rest on its side. The remainder of the wagon is in the distance. (Lethbridge, Newfoundland)

The collision occurred in Lethbridge. The community was the final destination of my 4-month, 1000 km voyage across Newfoundland by mule and wagon. The accident took place about 5 km from where a group of friends was assembled to welcome Polly and me at their home.

Polly and I were travelling south bound. The sun was low. The driver that struck the wagon said the sun was in his eyes. There were no skid marks or other signs of collision avoidance evident at the scene. The impact deployed both the vehicle’s air bags and ruptured the radiator. The car was removed from the scene by tow truck.

The bright red wagon Polly and I were traveling in was marked with three high visibility safety flags. It displayed the slow moving vehicle as required by law.

Car bumper and destroyed covered wagon after rear-end collision, slow moving vehicle sign visible, Lethbridge Newfoundland — In the bottom right corner is the bumper of the vehicle that struck my wagon. The impact was so violent it separated the wagon in two. The aft half is visible against the guard rail. The slow moving vehicle sign, required of agricultural and animal drawn equipment traveling over the road, is visible on the back of the wagon. In the distance is the front half of the wagon. It overturned and came to rest approximately 80 feet from the point of impact.

Side view of covered wagon crash scene in Lethbridge Newfoundland, Long Rider Bernie Harberts journey — The side view. The vehicle shown was passing through the scene. It was not involved in the accident.

Underside of overturned covered wagon showing bent steel frame after crash, mule Polly escaped serious harm, Newfoundland — The underside of the front half of the wagon. It was thrown on its side in the accident. It is constructed of heavy steel. The collision was powerful enough to bend a 3/8″ by 1″ section of steel plate around Polly’s hindquarters. She is sore but appears to have escaped serious harm.

Following the accident, mule Polly and my wagon were trailered to Jesse and Louise Peddle’s home in Lethbridge. Polly is sore but expected to be okay. In addition to harness breakage, the wagon suffered multiple broken welds, bent framework, body and roof damage.

Today, October 7, is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Now I have something to be really thankful about. It could have been much worse. A few hours before my wagon was struck, a local teenager lost his life in a vehicular accident. By comparison, we have emerged unscathed.

I would like to thank the citizens of Lethbridge and Newfoundland for their concern and assistance. Thanks as well to everyone who brought Polly treats after her close call.

Happy Thanksgiving.

October 9 update: Polly and I are currently dealing with wagon repairs and preparing for our return to North Carolina.

Mule Polly hours before the covered wagon crash, outside Lethbridge Newfoundland, Long Rider Bernie Harberts — Polly a few hours before the accident. She is sore but okay. (outside Lethbridge, Newfoundland)

Long Rider Bernie Harberts and mule Polly visiting with residents of Daniel's Harbour Newfoundland during covered wagon journey — The way Polly and I want to remember our voyage across the Rock. At its core, the trek was all about meetin’ Newfoundlanders. Here, in a calmer moment, Polly and I visit with the friendly folks of Daniel’s Harbour. I think there was some side betting going on as to whether (or not) we’d make it across the old girder bridge that leads into town. Proper thing as they say in these parts. Proper thing….

(Map note: the map shows the general area of Lethbridge, not the site of the accident.)

kt 2012-10-07 10:21:05

Heart-stopping image. Glad you put at the top of the post that you & Polly are ok. Wishing you safe & easy return home

Jesse and Cyndie 2012-10-07 11:49:15

Just looking at your site this morning to get your email address. Wow, we are glad you all are OK, Thank God, it could have been so much worse. Give Polly a big hug.

Keith 2012-10-07 15:56:24

Dang – well Happy Thanksgiving Bernie. I’m relieved to learn you and Polly are fine. That is an amazing photo – it looks like man and beast were fortunate to escape harm.

Salut to the north…

sue 2012-10-07 18:41:40

Thanks Giving indeed! Your friends at Two Whales (Port Rexton) are relieved you all emerged uninjured from the accident – that low sun is quite the thing when you are driving. What a shock.

Wishing you both a safe return home and we look forward to seeing you again some day.

Sue

Tom & Liz Lathrop 2012-10-08 08:20:20

Bernie,

You and Polly are indeed lucky that this is the Year of the Happy Dragon!!! Please let us know when you return to Oriental, NC. We look forward to seeing you again and hearing of your amazing travels and good luck!!!

Cheers

Larry Riddle 2012-10-08 08:43:07

Bernie I am so sorry about the accident. It just scared the pujeebers out of me when I popped up you site and saw the photo. I know not only Polly is sore, but imagine you are also. As I live in North Carolina and have given a hand to Bob Skelding, if you think I could help you in anyway feel free to ask. My ph# 828-635-5510.

Grace B. Evans 2012-10-08 08:57:48

My cigarettes haven’t tasted the same lately, but this end to your current adventure is not what we’ve been looking for, except it’s good news you and Polly are OK. Have a safe trip home and back to Oriental. Grace

Mike Anderson 2012-10-08 09:10:01

Happy to hear that you two will be able to carry on with your travels. Let me know if I can help.

Lesley Byrne 2012-10-08 12:46:24

Hello Bernie (and Polly too of course!!)….I was driving to Clarenville on Saturday, and passed by you on the Bonavista Highway… you were stopped at the Cabot Highway Campground, with many admirers… it was wonderful to see the 2 of you again, and that beside the incident on that very day, that all went wonderfully. Don and I enjoyed having you for a visit when you were in King’s Cove, and I hope that you enjoyed the Jam and Beets during the rest of your travels. Hope you have safe travels home….give Polly a scatch behind the ears….. Good Luck, and Good Grace!!

Bernie 2012-10-08 13:38:38

Howdy everyone. Bernie with mule Polly here in Newfoundland. Just wanted

More on Polly's and my Newfoundland ramble.

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