Davidson steps up as safe haven for stranded travellers

Rhyse Dieno is used to helping people in bad weather, but the blizzard on Tuesday was one of the worst he can remember.

Dieno and his father, Trevor, own and operate the Tim Hortons and Esso gas station along Highway 11 on the edge of Davidson.

A place that is normally a popular pitstop for travellers stopping for a snack or to top up their fuel tanks became a safe haven as fierce winds coupled with snow created whiteout conditions on highways around the province.

“The weather was really bad,” Dieno said Wednesday. “Crossing (the highway) you could hardly see both directions.”

According to Dieno, wind gusts of 85 kilometres per hour toppled an Esso highway sign and tore off his gas station canopy. The canopy landed on a semi, one of dozens of trucks that took refuge in the parking lot overnight.

“(There was) definitely some havoc,” Dieno said. “The truckers’ lot was completely jammed when I left work. You couldn’t fit another truck in there. Clearly it wasn’t safe to be on the road.”

The business operates 24/7. Dieno says they have a proud history of being there for travelers and Tuesday was no exception.

“When I was there (Tuesday) night there was one guy in there, but there was probably 150 trucks in the truckers’ lot. Most of them were staying safe in their truck,” said Dieno.

“We’ve been a lifeline for a lot of people and I know they’ve thanked us.”

Davidson Mayor Elaine Ebenal estimated eight other people stayed in the town overnight, finding accommodation at the motel or heading to people’s homes.

“What are you going to do? You’d hate to leave them sleeping in their cars when it’s so terribly cold,” Ebenal said.

“We’re probably not totally unique in Saskatchewan, but this is a really wonderful, accommodating town. If somebody needs help, (the residents) step right up right away.”