British Columbia: Driver plows into crowd, killing six

by Barry ORegan | August 26, 2007 at 04:26 am

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This story is in reponse to PEPs story on August 25th in News Wanted.

A wedding, a joyous occasion turns to tragedy, when a 71 year old man drives his pickup into the wedding parade.

Bikram Bhandal was at a loss to describe the pain he felt after losing his son and daughter in a single, sudden and senseless accident Friday night.

Surrounded by friends yesterday afternoon, Bhandal visited the spot on the rural Abbotsford road where his children were killed -- then returned to the bedside of his injured wife at MSA Hospital.

"He is very upset. There are no words for it," said Bhajan Sidhu, a family friend.

Mourners walk away from the spot on Lefeuvre Road in Abbotsford where about two dozen people were hit by a pickup truck while taking part in an Indian wedding procession Friday night.View Larger Image View Larger Image

Mourners walk away from the spot on Lefeuvre Road in Abbotsford where about two dozen people were hit by a pickup truck while taking part in an Indian wedding procession Friday night.

Bhandal's 25-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter, both from Toronto, were in Abbotsford for a family wedding when they were struck by a pickup truck while walking down a country road Friday night.

Four others died -- two men and two women -- and at least 17 people were injured in the horrific accident that happened as family and friends took part in an Indo-Canadian pre-wedding ceremony.

Following tradition, the group were winding in a procession through local roads, celebrating the wedding. The large group of 25 to 30 people, mostly women from the bride's side of the family, were walking south down Lefeuvre Road at about 11:15 p.m.

Neither the bride nor the groom was with the group as they sang and beat drums on their way to announce the wedding to neighbours.

A vehicle with four-way flashers was supposed to be tailing them, but it wasn't yet in position when a 1981 Chevy pickup truck drove into them from behind, knocking several celebrants into the ditch.

A number of people were pinned under the vehicle, which was driven by a 71-year-old Abbotsford man who was not part of the wedding.

Abbotsford police Const. Casey Vinet said officers arrived to find "chaos."

"It was difficult for police and firefighters to work their way through the victims and identify those who were most seriously injured," he said. "I have been told by one of our senior officers with over 20 years experience that this is the most difficult scene he's ever witnessed."

Fourteen ambulances, including two medevac helicopters, were called to transport victims to the hospital while off-duty police officers arrived to assist.

Among the injured were two babies, including a seven-month-old who was transported to Royal Columbian Hospital and then on to Children's Hospital in Vancouver in serious condition. A four-month-old was rushed to MSA Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Doctors at seven local hospitals, including Vancouver General, worked through the night to take care of the survivors, said Eileen McAlear with the Fraser Health Authority.

"We called a Code Orange, which affects all the hospitals in Fraser Health," she said.

The six dead ranged from teenagers to those in their 50s.

Some of the victims were members of the Mahil family, prominent and well-respected Abbotsford blueberry farmers.

The pre-wedding celebration took place at the home of the bride's father, Avtar Mahil. His sister-in-law, Satinder Mahil, was killed in the accident.

"She was beautiful, caring, just an amazing person," Satinder's daughter-in-law said yesterday, adding that Satinder's husband, Balbir, and their three grown children have been devastated by her death.[/q]