Train collision kills one during parade celebrations

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This article was published 23/06/2024 (803 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A cultural parade in a rural Manitoba town turned tragic Sunday afternoon when a person was struck and killed by a passing train.

RM of La Broquerie Reeve Ivan Normandeau confirmed the death occurred shortly before 1 p.m. as dozens of people gathered in the community for its annual Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebration.

“Everybody was there, unfortunately. A lot of young kids were around, so it was pretty tough on everybody. It will be very tough on the school tomorrow,” he said.

“It’s just a tragic accident.”

Although he has not been formally briefed by police or emergency responders, Normandeau believes the victim is an elderly woman who does not live in La Broquerie.

Details about what led to the accident are limited, he said.

The RCMP and local fire department did not immediately respond to requests for comment Sunday.

La Broquerie, a Francophone community, is located roughly 60 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.

The parade began around 11:40 a.m. and was just coming to an end when the collision occured. At no point did the parade route cross over the railway lines, Normandeau said.

The lights and crossing arms controlling the rail line were active and functioning properly when the victim attempted to pass over a sidewalk that intersects with the tracks. The sidewalk does not have crossing arms, he said.

CN Rail owns the rail line, which intersects the middle of the community at Principale Street. Trains often travel through town faster than people expect, Normandeau said.

“It was supposed to be a nice day, a nice parade and event going on… Right now, people are still in shock.”

The local fire department posted a phone number for mental health supports on its Facebook page Sunday afternoon, saying, “If anyone needs to talk or has concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.”

Traffic updates from the provincial government show Principale St. (Highway 302) was closed from Highway 52 to Highway 210 Sunday afternoon before reopening around 4:30 p.m.

The Free Press has reached out to CN for further comment.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca