Transportation and works minister Tom Hedderson offered his condolences today to the family, friends, and co-workers of the man killed in a vehicle-pedestrian accident on Tuesday.
Hedderson confirmed that the deceased male in his fifties was an employee from his department.
"It was a terrible shock to hear of the tragic accident on the Outer Ring Road yesterday afternoon involving three individuals,” the minister stated in a news release.
“Sadly, this collision claimed the life of a long-serving employee of the Department of Transportation and Works.”
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is not releasing the name of the deceased man.
Hedderson added that his thoughts were also with the families of the two men injured in the accident, both of whom worked for other parties.
The RNC is expected to provide an update on the health status of those men later today. They were last reported to be dealing with serious injuries.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department of Government Services has confirmed that an Occupational Health and Safety investigation team was present at the site of the accident Tuesday afternoon. Its investigation is ongoing.
Tuesday’s accident halted traffic on the Outer Ring Road between exits to Thorburn Road and Topsail Road for almost eight hours. The accident occurred at approximately 1 p.m.
Meantime, NAPE President Carol Furlong said the union was shocked to learn of the passing of the man who was a member of the union.
“It is our understanding the person who lost his life is a long-standing member. It is an extremely sad day when an employee loses his life in the service of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador,” Furlong said in a news release.
“All NAPE members are saddened as we reflect on the loss of a colleague. At this time on behalf of all NAPE members I express our deepest sympathy to the family, co-workers, and friends of our deceased member. We also hope for a full recovery of the other two injured workers.”
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One dead, two seriously injured after vehicle collides with pedestrians
One person is dead and two people were being treated for serious injuries Tuesday following a collision involving an SUV and pedestrians working on the Outer Ring Road in St. John's.
Const. Suzanne FitzGerald of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) said alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the accident and that investigators were still interviewing witnesses and examining markings at the scene as of late Tuesday afternoon.
No charges had been laid.
"Until they actually review all the evidence from the roadway and speak to all the witnesses, it would be impossible to make that determination," said FitzGerald.
Forensic identification, accident investigation and the major crime units are all involved in the investigation.
The accident happened on the eastbound lane between the exits to Thorburn Road and Topsail Road at approximately 1 p.m., according to an RNC news release. FitzGerald said there was reduced visibility and wet road conditions at the time of the accident.
An SUV collided with three men, who were standing on the gravel portion of the median, according to FitzGerald. They were working in the area at the time of the accident.
Other workers at the scene managed to escape injury, as did the driver. One man in his 50s was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The RNC will not release the name of the deceased out of respect to his family, according to the release.
The two other males were brought to the Health Sciences Centre where they were being treated for serious injuries.
FitzGerald said the vehicle sustained minor damage, and there was no damage to guardrails along the road. She told The Telegram the driver of the vehicle is co-operating with the RNC in its investigation.
Workers at the scene of the accident represented multiple parties, according to FitzGerald. Information on which agencies or companies were on hand when the accident occurred will not be made available until the family members of those working on the site are contacted.
The accident caused significant traffic jams Tuesday afternoon, as both eastbound and westbound traffic was redirected from the Outer Ring Road at the Thorburn Road and Topsail Road exits.
The redirection of vehicles from the Outer Ring Road created further congestion on Kenmount Road for eastbound and westbound traffic.
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You can place blame wherever you choose but this is not a road problem nor a weather problem nor a police problem. It is a people problem. Until careless people realize that their actions not only put themselves at risk but others there will always be these kinds of tragedies. Bob I assume you made it home safe for dinner last night.