Senior dies in ‘tragic’ accident after Canada Day celebrations in Abbotsford

A man has died in what police have described as a tragic accident after attending Canada Day celebrations in Abbotsford, BC.

Son Singh Sidhu was sitting in the back of a pickup truck that had just left a parade around 12:45 p.m. PT on Sunday.

Police said Sidhu fell from the truck and was hit by its trailer at the intersection of Simon Avenue and Gladwin Road, one block from the parade route.

Sidhu was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Sidhu’s nephew introduced him to CBC News on Sunday.

His nephew said he was visiting from India and was on his way to prayer with other men riding in the float when the accident occurred.

‘There are no words for that’

“Any time there is a fatal accident, it is a tragedy,” said Abbotsford Police Sergeant Judy Bird.

“That something like this happens after celebrations… I have no words for it. It’s horrific.”

There were about 20 people in the truck when Sidhu fell, Bird said.

The official said speed was likely not a factor because the accident occurred near the parade route. Bird said the parade had ended about a half-hour before the incident and the intersection was congested.

The driver of the pickup truck remained on site and cooperated with investigators, police said.

With files from Zahra Premji

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