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Drayton Valley doctor injured after truck slams through his clinic

Apr 18, 2018 | 1:24 PM

A Drayton Valley doctor is recovering after a patient at his practice accidentally drove his pickup through the clinic’s wall. 

Dr. Ryan White was between patients and sitting at his desk in an exam room at Shale Medical Clinic around 9:40 a.m. Monday when the truck smashed into the front of the building. 

White was struck and suffered internal injuries, and will be discharged from the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton later today.  

The truck was pulling into the parking lot when it accelerated, his colleague Dr. Lealet van Staden said.

“It seems to be that the man driving the truck wanted to hit the brake but hit the gas pedal instead, but nothing malicious was intended with this,” said van Steaden.

Drayton Valley RCMP Sergeant Erin Matthews called the incident a “complete accident.”

It’s estimated the repairs to the building will take a few weeks and will cost between $50,000 to $100,000. 

White is expected to return to his patients this coming Friday, said van Steaden. 

The clinic at 5004 50th Ave. had just opened in January.

White had first lived and practiced in South Africa before coming to Drayton Valley.