Local Nigerians killed in crash near The Pas

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This article was published 06/09/2024 (707 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A brother and sister, who are members of the city’s Nigerian community, were killed in a highway crash south of The Pas last weekend.

Vera Keyede, president of the Nigerian Association of Manitoba, posted on social media this week that the 23-year-old male and 21-year-old female were from Nigeria.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am letting you know that our community has been thrown into mourning following the tragic accident,” Keyede wrote.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the families and friends affected by this devastating loss. We ask for your prayers for the family at this time.”

The note said details of the victims and the surviving passengers weren’t available.

The Pas RCMP said a vehicle driving from Winnipeg to The Pas on Sunday at 4:45 p.m., was on Highway 60, about 31 kilometres east of Hwy. 10, when it drove onto the shoulder and the driver over-corrected.

The vehicle rolled and the two rear-seat passengers, both from Winnipeg, were ejected. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The 25-year-old driver, and an 18-year-old passenger, also from Winnipeg, were treated in hospital for minor injuries.

RCMP are continuing to investigate.

Florence Okwudili, a member of the Nigerian community and chairwoman of the Coalition of Manitoba Cultural Communities for Families, said they are ready to help the parents who live in Nigeria.

“For this to happen, it’s so devastating,” said Okwudili on Friday. “We want to help them in any way.

“We want to see what we can do to support the family back home and here. But the family has (told us) they’re not willing to talk to the community now because they are grieving. They appreciate our support.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca