Fatal collision for traffic signalman during snow removal operation in Gatineau

Mélissa Gélinas

A traffic signalman lost his life following a collision with heavy machinery (snowblower) during a snow removal operation near the intersection of La Vérendrye Boulevard West and Rue de Cannes on February 24.

According to the information gathered, the victim was the father of a two-year-old girl and was in his thirties. The man was confirmed dead by first responders. Around 1 pm, officers from the Gatineau Police Department (SPVG) were alerted to the incident and went to the scene. Upon their arrival, a security perimeter was set up to protect the scene and carry out the necessary interventions.

A witness to the accident described what happened. “I was stopped at the traffic lights on the corner of Rue de Cannes and Boulevard La Vérendrye where I noticed a pedestrian (traffic signaller) […] to my right on the corner of the street,” he said. “When the light turned green, the snowblower started to turn at the intersection where the man was. It was at that precise moment that the man started running in the same direction as the heavy machinery, seeing that it would not stop.”

Although this is an isolated case, according to the information obtained, it has been possible to identify nearly 23 deaths since 2008 among road signaling workers while they were on duty. “Of course, there is always a risk in this type of work,” says Serge Carrière, a road signalman for 14 years and president of SNS Signalisation Inc. “Every three years, road signalmen must undergo training, but very often, it is citizens who are not attentive enough on the road and cause accidents. Last year, two road signalmen were hit. The first incident was caused by road rage and the other by passing in the right lane. We should perhaps consider equipping workers with a camera that they could wear.”

According to Carrière, more public awareness should be raised. “The police officers who are on the side of the road are always well respected since there is a protective corridor, but the traffic flaggers often find themselves on foot when they do their job. I recommend that people allow enough time to get where they are going and behave calmly on the road.”

For the moment, according to information from the SPVG, the incident does not involve any criminal act. “Our investigators will continue to assist the coroner in this investigation,” said Patrick Kenney, SPVG public relations officer.