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

A 56-year-old Island EMS paramedic who died in a collision Tuesday is being remembered by his friends and colleagues as an inspirational, dedicated and community-minded person.

Mike MacKenzie was driving an ambulance that collided with a transport truck in New Brunswick near the Confederation Bridge on Tuesday morning.

Tim Jenkins, interim chief of the Charlottetown Fire Department, called MacKenzie a close friend who loved being with and helping others.

“In emergency services, we see a lot of tragedy and a lot of death, but when it’s one of your own, I can tell you this one hits completely differently than others,” Jenkins said.

“I think he’s one of the reasons my daughter became a paramedic. He very much spoke about paramedicine and helping people all the time. So he was just a great all-around guy and he will be sorely missed.”

WATCH | Tributes, support roll in from across the country after 3 Islanders die in N.B. collision:

Tributes, support roll in from across the country after 3 Islanders die in N.B. collision

A tragic collision in New Brunswick that killed three Islanders has left many people grieving, including the first responder community. Tributes to the victims and offers of support are pouring in from across the country. CBC’s Steve Bruce reports.

Another paramedic, 23-year-old Jenna Croucher from Nine Mile Creek, also died in the collision, as well as a 77-year-old woman from Montague.

It happened just after 9 a.m. in the community of Melrose, N.B., around 12 km southwest of the Confederation Bridge near Port Elgin.

CBC News has not been able to confirm the name of the 77-year-old woman.

The driver of the transport truck was brought to the hospital with what police believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Cpl. Luc Picard, media relations officer with the Codiac Regional RCMP in New Brunswick, said an investigation into what took place is ongoing.

“We had a lot of our partners attending the scene, including the coroners and the reconstructionist from the RCMP,” Picard said. “We are really doing a thorough investigation to make sure that we understand what happened.”

Chris Hood, executive director of the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick, said hundreds of paramedics from that province have volunteered to come to P.E.I. to help backfill at Island EMS.

“They want to help their brothers and sisters in the Island take the time they need and grieve the way they need to grieve and be there to support them,” Hood said.

Island EMS said in a statement Wednesday that it’s focused on supporting staff, family members and everyone affected by the loss, saying the impact will be felt for “a long time to come.”

“We are grateful to the EMS teams in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia who responded immediately to support Island EMS and all those affected,” the statement reads.

“Their professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to their colleagues during such a difficult time reflect the very best of the paramedic profession.”

WATCH | What we know about a crash that left paramedics, patient from P.E.I. dead:

Here’s what’s known about a crash that left paramedics, patient from P.E.I. dead

Police in New Brunswick are still looking for answers as to how an Island EMS ambulance and transport truck collided Tuesday. The crash led to the death of three people from P.E.I. — two paramedics and a patient they were transporting. CBC’s Taylor O’Brien has the latest.

Jason Woodbury, president of the union that represents Island paramedics, said the incident has left the province’s first responders “in disbelief.”

“It’s going to take some time for us to grieve and take the time to reflect,” he said.

“They’ve given so much, you know, one individual volunteered in several other areas in the community…. They were part of the EMS and the first-responder community, and we’re a tight-knit community.”

Woodbury said supports are available for first responders as they grapple with the news.

“It’s not only this province that’s grieving, it’s this country that’s grieving. When we lose first responders in the line of duty, it’s difficult,” he said.

“We come to work to serve. We see some horrific incidents and when it’s our own … the whole first-responder community here on Prince Edward Island, from police to conservation officers to fire and EMS, is going to grieve for quite some time.”