Debert man killed in ‘tragic’ hunting accident

A Debert man, killed in a tragic hunting accident, was a lifelong resident of the area.

Barry Nichols, 60, was a self-employed carpenter who grew up in Belmont.

“He was a good guy,” said Bob Pash, Colchester County Councillor for the area. “A very honest, very nice guy.” RCMP public information o cer Jennifer Clarke said in a news release that Nichols died following “a tragic hunting accident” Monday evening in a wooded area near Ri e Range Road in Belmont.

“ e initial investigation has determined that the victim and a 41-year-old man were hunting in the area,” she said. “ ey were following a deer and became separated. e younger man shot at what he thought was the deer, and accidentally caused a fatal injury to the victim.”

Police and EHS paramedics who attended the scene were unable to revive him, she said. Clarke said Nichols and the other hunter were known to each other but that the RCMP were not immediately disclosing any further information. Pash said a community bene t is to be held at the Debert legion, although the date and other specific details are still being arranged.

“We want to do it before Christmas,” Pash said.

“As a councillor from this district, I’d like to pass along my condolences and very heartfelt sympathy to the family.”

e incident is being investigated by the RCMP Northeast Nova Major Crimes Unit. RCMP Forensic Identification Services and Colchester District RCMP assisted at the scene.