Two children, paramedic killed in highway accident
Ambulance was responding to another crash in northern Sask.
Communities and families in northern Saskatchewan are mourning the deaths of three people, including two children, and praying for the survivors of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 155.
Jerome Coulineur, 12, and one-year-old Kinzey Angeline Iron-couillonneur died in the collision between an ambulance and truck that took place Friday around 5 p.m. on Highway 155 south of Beauval. Andrew Lariviere, the grandfather of Iron-couillonneur and caregiver of Coulineur, as well as Russell Maurice, a grandson of Andrew Lariviere’s, were injured in the collision.
The family has “really been relying on each other,” said Melissa Laliberte, the daughter of Andrew Lariviere and relative to the others.
“Life is unfair,” she said in a Facebook post.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority confirmed the other person killed was a Meadow Lake EMS paramedic who was responding to another crash. Kelvington Mobile Health Services said on social media that “we lost one of our own” and that “we mourn the loss of everyone involved.”
Melissa Laliberte said her father and mother, Patsy, “have raised a lot of children that are not their own,” including Jerome. “Anyone that comes walking through their doors are instantly loved from my parents and all of us. We’re a family that always says I love you no matter what.”
Jerome, Melissa said, was a good athlete, “forever protective” of his sister Hope and brother Jake, and “was special to all of us. He was always so helpful and always tried to help with anything.”
Iron-couillonneur had her mooshum — her grandpa — Andrew and cousin Abraham “wrapped around her finger.”
Melissa said the 18-month-old girl could count to five, knew some of her alphabet and spoke a few words in Cree.
“She was so loved from everyone that knew her,” Melissa said.
The family was spread apart in different communities — some in Jans Bay, others in Lloydminster or near North Battleford, some on the way to Edmonton from Saskatoon — when the collision took place. They’ve been gathered at Royal University Hospital since the accident.
According to a Facebook post by Melissa, Andrew has a broken chest bone and bruised lungs and will undergo further testing.
“He has never been alone,” Melissa said.
Russell Maurice suffered a fractured wrist in the collision. He was also transported to RUH.
“He has been so brave since the accident,” Melissa said.
According to RCMP, members of the Beauval detachment responded to the collision between a northbound ambulance with two occupants and a southbound truck with four occupants. The 12-yearold boy and one-year-old girl in the southbound truck, as well as the paramedic in the ambulance, were transported from the scene but later pronounced dead.
A Gofundme was started to help cover funeral and travel costs for the family. According to the Gofundme page, the communities of Jans Bay, Cole Bay and Beauval “have suffered yet another terrible loss.”
Beauval is approximately 150 kilometres north of Meadow Lake.
RCMP said road conditions “were poor with slush- and ice-covered sections at the time of the collision.” Alcohol is not considered a factor in the collision.
Conservative Party MP Gary Vidal said in a statement that the province’s “hearts go out to our amazing teams of emergency services people who serve our communities every day.
“In small communities like Meadow Lake these people are often our family, friends and our neighbours as well, so when something like this happens it really hits close to home for so many. We’re going to have a lot of people touched and affected very personally by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”
In a statement, the City of Meadow Lake said those affected by the accident “are in our hearts today and in the days to come.”