Flagman killed after being struck on highway

A flagman working on the highway between Heart’s Content and Old Perlican died Thursday after being struck by a vehicle, the RCMP has confirmed.

The RCMP in Harbour Grace received a call about the incident at 8:50 a.m., Cpl. Stephen Barker told The Telegram.

The man was rushed to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The man, in his late 50s, was from the New Harbour area, Trinity Bay, Barker said. His name has not yet been released.

Barker said the man was working with a crew that had been doing brush-clearing operations on Route 80 at the time.

Occupational Health and Safety officials and an RCMP collision analysis expert were on the scene and are continuing to investigate.

The highway was closed for much of the day, but was later reopened.

When news of the tragedy was released, Transportation and Works Minister Steve Crocker expressed condolences. “We are deeply saddened to learn today that an employee of a contractor performing work for the Department of Transportation and Works has succumbed to injuries stemming from an incident earlier today,” Crocker stated in a news release.

“On behalf of the department and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I extend my sincerest condolences to the employee’s family, colleagues and friends.”