Manitoba sheriff's officer dead after vehicle collides with train near Portage la Prairie

Manitoba sheriff's officer dead after vehicle collides with train near Portage la Prairie

Province mourning man killed, wishing injured passenger a speedy recovery: premier

A 28-year-old Manitoba sheriff's officer is dead after the van he was driving collided with a train west of Portage la Prairie.

Manitoba RCMP were sent to the crash site on Road 40 W. in the rural municipality of Portage la Prairie around 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Early investigation results suggest the van was headed south when it collided with a train, rolled and landed in a ditch, RCMP said in a news release.

The driver, a Portage la Prairie man, died at the scene, RCMP say, while the lone passenger was taken to hospital with minor injuries as a precaution.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew later confirmed the province is "mourning the loss of a sheriff."

"We are also thinking of the sheriff who was injured, and we wish them a full and quick recovery."

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health and CN police are helping RCMP investigate.

"Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and co-workers of these dedicated members," the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union said in a statement.

With files from The Canadian Press