P.E.I. paramedics who died in N.B. crash honoured with procession through 2 provinces

number one responders, residents in N.B. And P.E.I. Amount unitedly to honour Island paramedics

The ii paramedics who died earlier this week in New Brunswick are now home on the Island after a procession that began in Saint John, N.B., early Friday afternoon and culminated several hours later in Souris, P.E.I.

Mike MacKenzie and Jenna Croucher were among three people who died Tuesday when their ambulance and a transport truck collided in Melrose, N.B., about 12 km southwest of the Confederation Bridge near Port Elgin.

Anne Martell, a 77-year-old woman from Montague who was being transported as a patient in the ambulance, also died in the crash. She has already been brought back to P.E.I. 

The procession honouring MacKenzie and Croucher left the Dolan Road Irving in Saint John at around 1 p.m., and included about a dozen vehicles.

A number of other vehicles — including fire trucks, police cars and ambulances — were parked at the side of the road and on overpasses, with first responders saluting as the procession passed.

After making its way through New Brunswick, the procession crossed the Confederation Bridge into P.E.I. At around 4 p.m.

Organizers said about 25 vehicles were waiting to join the procession as it entered the Island.

Dozens of first responders from departments across the province lined the road leading from the Confederation Bridge onto P.E.I., saluting and bowing their heads as the procession passed. Spectators also looked on from the roadside.

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The procession made its first stop on the Island at Central Queen’s Funeral Home in New Glasgow just after 5:30 p.m.

A bagpiper played as the procession entered the grounds of the funeral home where first responders were awaiting its arrival. People cried and embraced as they exited their vehicles.

 James Orchard, the general manager of Island EMS, was with the procession since it left Saint John — a journey he described as very emotional. 

"Once we got to the Island it was overwhelming, to be honest. I'm at a loss for words," he said. 

Orchard described MacKenzie as a person who left an impression on many through his work as a community outreach paramedic, a paramedic ambassador and a mentor. 

Visitation for MacKenzie will be held at the Central Queen’s Funeral Home on Wednesday and Thursday between 3 and 8 p.m.

The procession then continued toward Dingwell Funeral Home in Souris, arriving Friday evening.

Visiting hours for Croucher will take place at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. The details of a regimental funeral service to be held in Charlottetown will be announced in the coming days.

The Souris Fire Department had its firefighters and trucks at the ready to welcome Croucher home. 

Chief Donnie Aitken said he's known Croucher and her family — including her father, P.E.I. Education Minister Robin Croucher, who also worked as a paramedic — for quite some time. 

"There's really no way to describe it in words. It's gut-wrenching. It's very sad. And we know nothing we do is going to change the outcome of it," Aitken said. "We're just hoping and praying that we all get through this together." 

Aitken said the display of support for the Croucher family is part of firefighting culture. 

"Right now, we're kind of holding Robin's shoulder and then the community is holding our shoulder and Robin's shoulder at the same time," he said. 

"It's been an emotional time since it happened, for all of us."

Souris Regional School principal Lynne MacPhee said many of the school's staff would have taught Croucher and remember her from her time there.

"She didn't mince words. She said it straight from the heart. And for Jenna, from the very beginning of senior high, she was adamant that she was going to be a paramedic," MacPhee said.

"Every time we lose a student, you know, it just reminds us about how fragile life is and ... As a K to 12 community, we see our students from the very beginning of their entrance to school."

Chad Acorn with P.E.I. Ground Search and Rescue, who knew MacKenzie for many years and had met Croucher's father on a number of occasions, said the loss "hits you like a train."

"They passed doing what they love — helping others, helping the province, helping communities," Acorn said.

"It's great to see the community come to something like this. I think it's absolutely remarkable. It's very much appreciated as a first responder."

Pat Madsen, a primary care paramedic with Ambulance New Brunswick and based in Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B., watched the procession leave Saint John earlier in the day.

He said the first-responder community is a close-knit one.

"When one mourns we all mourn. When one feels a loss, we all feel that," he said. 

"Personally, I felt that I wanted to be here to pay my respect and … more importantly to show support for the families and the loved ones of these medics." 

Stefanie Flanders, a paramedic with Ambulance New Brunswick, said she wanted to see the procession off to show support for MacKenzie and Croucher as they made their way back home. 

"It doesn't matter if we never met them, we never crossed paths. They're part of the EMS family and it's heartbreaking that we lost two people," Flanders said. 

She hoped her presence — along with that of her colleagues — sent a message to MacKenzie and Croucher's loved ones. 

"I hope that they feel the love and support from all of the paramedics of New Brunswick."

Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social media Friday afternoon, writing that his thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident, and "with communities across P.E.I. As they grieve this tragic loss."

JoAnne Dunphy, the mayor of Souris, said the town joins communities across the Island in mourning "an unimaginable loss."

"This loss has deeply affected our community. One of those we are welcoming home was one of our own, and today we do so with profound sadness, respect, and gratitude for a life dedicated to caring for others," Dunphy said in a written statement.

"As the procession enters Souris, we stand together as a community to honour a life of service and to show the family that they are not alone. We hope our presence offers even a small measure of comfort during this incredibly difficult time."

Darrell Coffin, president of Atlantic 911 Ride, which organized the procession, said it's an honour to pay tribute to MacKenzie and Croucher.

"Today, it's a privilege to stand with their families and their friends and colleagues and community to honour their lives, their service, and their legacy that they left behind," Coffin said.

"Mike and Jenna dedicated their lives to answering the call when others need it the most, and now it's our turn to answer the call for them."

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