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Military cop dies in freak accident
Officer was escorting marathon runners along highway when car run over by tractor trailer
By The Canadian Press
CFB Suffield, Alta. - A military police officer died Friday morning after a tractor trailer ran over his car along the Trans-Canada Highway while he was escorting marathon runners back to the base.
The man, whose name was withheld, was travelling at a reduced speed beside runners taking part in the Terry Fox Run when a tractor rolled over his car from behind.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Our heart goes out to the family and friends of the officer, as well as to the driver of the other vehicle involved," said base commander Lt.-Col. Ken Steed.
"(He) was a brave officer who died doing his duty. He died protecting us. And to add to the tragedy, this was his first day on the job," Steed said.
"He had come to us from CFB Borden five days ago, and had spent some time getting acclimatized. This was his first assignment."
Capt. Sterling Cripps said that all the participants and military vehicles in the run had followed orders and remained on the shoulder of the highway at all times.
Les Phillips, one of the first motorists on the scene, knew that there wasn‘t much hope for the victim.
"We heard about (the accident) on our CB, and stopped and ran out with our fire extinguishers to see if we could help. But by that time they had already pulled him out, it was clear that there was nothing we could do for him."
The name of the truck driver is being withheld by the RCMP, who have determined that drugs or alcohol were not factors in the crash.
The Yankee Group of Companies, a Saskatoon-based trucking firm, confirmed that one of their drivers was involved.
"We were notified of the accident by the RCMP (Friday) morning, and at this point and time don‘t have anything to comment, and will allow the RCMP to proceed with their investigation," said Scott Johnston, the company‘s president.
Canadian Forces Base Suffield is located about 220 kilometres southeast of Calgary.
Officer was escorting marathon runners along highway when car run over by tractor trailer
By The Canadian Press
CFB Suffield, Alta. - A military police officer died Friday morning after a tractor trailer ran over his car along the Trans-Canada Highway while he was escorting marathon runners back to the base.
The man, whose name was withheld, was travelling at a reduced speed beside runners taking part in the Terry Fox Run when a tractor rolled over his car from behind.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Our heart goes out to the family and friends of the officer, as well as to the driver of the other vehicle involved," said base commander Lt.-Col. Ken Steed.
"(He) was a brave officer who died doing his duty. He died protecting us. And to add to the tragedy, this was his first day on the job," Steed said.
"He had come to us from CFB Borden five days ago, and had spent some time getting acclimatized. This was his first assignment."
Capt. Sterling Cripps said that all the participants and military vehicles in the run had followed orders and remained on the shoulder of the highway at all times.
Les Phillips, one of the first motorists on the scene, knew that there wasn‘t much hope for the victim.
"We heard about (the accident) on our CB, and stopped and ran out with our fire extinguishers to see if we could help. But by that time they had already pulled him out, it was clear that there was nothing we could do for him."
The name of the truck driver is being withheld by the RCMP, who have determined that drugs or alcohol were not factors in the crash.
The Yankee Group of Companies, a Saskatoon-based trucking firm, confirmed that one of their drivers was involved.
"We were notified of the accident by the RCMP (Friday) morning, and at this point and time don‘t have anything to comment, and will allow the RCMP to proceed with their investigation," said Scott Johnston, the company‘s president.
Canadian Forces Base Suffield is located about 220 kilometres southeast of Calgary.
