The leader of the province’s largest labour union says the death last week of a provincial wildlife officer has sent chills throughout the public service in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn the news of this tragedy,” said Carol Furlong, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE). The union issued a news release over the weekend.
Howard Lavers died Thursday afternoon when his snowmobile fell through the ice on Eastern Blewy Pond, near Blue Mountain on the Northern Peninsula. Two other officers made it across the pond without incident.
“On behalf of all NAPE members, I extend deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of Howard.”
The RCMP and fish and wildlife enforcement officers recovered Lavers’ body shortly before 5 p.m. on Friday.
Furlong acknowledged the work of the other officers who were with Lavers on Thursday, saying they “desperately and frantically attempted to save the life of their colleague.”
She also thanked the RCMP for their work in retrieving the body.
“It is always sad to hear of the death of a colleague, but when a life is lost on the job it reminds us of the inherent perils and dangers that many workers face as they carry out their jobs.”
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
