Procession bringing home Island paramedics who died in N.B. crash arrives in P.E.I.

Procession for 2 P.E.I. paramedics killed in N.B. crash arrives in New Glasgow

Procession began in Saint John, N.B., will stop in New Glasgow and Souris, P.E.I.

P.E.I. paramedics who died in crash honoured with procession across the province

The two paramedics who died earlier this week in New Brunswick are now home on P.E.I. in a procession that began in Saint John, N.B., Friday afternoon.

Mike MacKenzie and Jenna Croucher were among three people who died Tuesday in a collision in Melrose, N.B., about 12 km southwest of the Confederation Bridge near Port Elgin.

Anne Martell, a 77-year-old woman from Montague who was being transported as a patient in the ambulance, also died in the crash. She has already been brought back to P.E.I.

The procession honouring MacKenzie and Croucher began in Saint John, N.B. It left the Dolan Road Irving in that community at around 1 p.m., and included about a dozen vehicles.

A number of other vehicles — including fire trucks, police cars and ambulances — were parked at the side of the road and on overpasses, with first responders saluting as the procession passed.

After making its way through New Brunswick, the procession crossed the Confederation Bridge into P.E.I. at around 4 p.m.

Organizers said about 25 vehicles were waiting to join the procession as it entered P.E.I.

Dozens of first responders from departments across the Island lined the road leading from the Confederation Bridge onto P.E.I., saluting and bowing their heads as the procession passed. Spectators also looked on from the roadside.

The procession made its first stop on the Island at Central Queen’s Funeral Home in New Glasgow just after 5:30 p.m.

After a 30-minute pause, it will continue toward Dingwell Funeral Home in Souris, arriving at about 6:35 p.m.

Organizers said the procession timeline is approximate and may be affected by weather and traffic conditions.

Family and friends of Islanders who died in N.B. collision remembering their loved ones

P.E.I.'s first-responder community in mourning after N.B. crash that claimed 3 lives

The Souris Fire Department has its firefighters and fire trucks at the ready to welcome Croucher home, said Chief Donnie Aitken.

Aitken said he has known Croucher and her family — including her father, P.E.I. Education Minister Robin Croucher, who also worked as a paramedic — for quite some time.

"There's really no way to describe it in words. It's gut-wrenching. It's very sad. And we know nothing we do is going to change the outcome of it," Aitken said.

"We're just hoping and praying that we all get through this together."

Aitken said the display of support for the Croucher family is part of firefighting culture.

"Right now, we're kind of holding Robin's shoulder and then the community is holding our shoulder and Robin's shoulder at the same time," he said.

"It's going to be an emotional evening. It's been an emotional time since it happened for all of us."

Pat Madsen, a primary care paramedic with Ambulance New Brunswick and based in Grand Bay-Westfield, saw the procession leave.

He said the first-responder community is a close-knit one.

"When one mourns we all mourn. When one feels a loss, we all feel that," he said.

"Personally, I felt that I wanted to be here to pay my respect and … more importantly to show support for the families and the loved ones of these medics."

Stefanie Flanders, a paramedic with Ambulance New Brunswick, said she wanted to see the procession off to show as much support as possible to MacKenzie and Croucher as they make their way back home.

"It doesn't matter if we never met them, we never crossed paths. They're part of the EMS family and it's heartbreaking that we lost two people," Flanders said.

Even though she didn't know MacKenzie or Croucher personally, she said he hopes her presence — along with that of her colleagues — sends a message to their loved ones.

"I hope that they feel the love and support from all of the paramedics of New Brunswick."

Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social media Friday afternoon, writing that his thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident, and "with communities across P.E.I. as they grieve this tragic loss."

JoAnne Dunphy, the mayor of Souris, said the town joins communities across the Island in mourning "an unimaginable loss."

"This loss has deeply affected our community. One of those we are welcoming home was one of our own, and today we do so with profound sadness, respect, and gratitude for a life dedicated to caring for others," Dunphy said in a written statement.

"As the procession enters Souris, we stand together as a community to honour a life of service and to show the family that they are not alone. We hope our presence offers even a small measure of comfort during this incredibly difficult time."

Darrell Coffin, president of Atlantic 911 Ride, which organized the procession, said it's an honour to pay tribute to MacKenzie and Croucher.

"Today, it's a privilege to stand with their families and their friends and colleagues and community to honour their lives, their service, and their legacy that they left behind," Coffin said.

"Mike and Jenna dedicated their lives to answering the call when others need it the most, and now it's our turn to answer the call for them."

P.E.I. RCMP is asking the public to refrain from joining the procession in their vehicles, out of respect and for safety.

For those who want to be part of the event, RCMP is asking people to stand safely on the side of the road while the procession passes.

RCMP is also cautioning that the roads will be very busy Friday in the Resort Municipality area of the North Shore, so particular care should be taken there.

With files from Nipun Tiwari, Roger Cosman, Steve Bruce, Joseph Watt and Camryn Farquharson