‘We need answers’: Family of snowmobiler fatally struck by fire truck protests outside RCMP detachment

Around 20 people gathered outside the RCMP detachment in Amherst, N.S., early Sunday afternoon for Blake Nicholson who was fatally struck by fire truck.

A crowd of around 20 people gathered outside the RCMP detachment in Amherst, N.S., early Sunday afternoon.

The organized protest was held for Blake Nicholson who died suddenly on Feb. 21.

Protesters say Nicholson was the man killed in Collingwood Corner, N.S., after he was struck by a fire truck.

“I am looking for justice for my fiancé, my son and his entire family,” said Nicholson’s fiancée Maddi Mitchell.

According to the Cumberland County RCMP, emergency crews responded to the scene of a snowmobile crash in Poison Lake at 10:20 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21.

Police say a fire truck from the Collingwood and District Volunteer Fire Department struck a 28-year-old Springhill, N.S., man who had crashed his snowmobile and was waiting for medical assistance.

The man later died at the scene.

“I’m here for my family, their family and for any other family so maybe this will not happen again to someone else,” said Nicholson’s father-in-law David Mitchell.

“We are one family not two,” said Maddi. “We’re here together.”

Nicholson’s brother Adam Nicholson said someone has to be held accountable for what happened.

“I’m here representing my family. My parents couldn’t make it here today because of all that’s going on. So, I’m up here representing us. We just want some answers. We want someone to be held accountable for all of this,” he said.

“What happened to my brother, it’s not OK and it’s not right. No one should have to go through this, and I don’t want anybody to go through this. We need answers.”

Family members thanked protesters after speaking to reporters.

Emergency meetings

The Municipality of Cumberland held two emergency meetings last week to discuss and review the matter.

As a result, Fire Chief Jerrold Cotton and Acting Fire Chief Andrea Bishop were dismissed from the department.

Cumberland CAO Greg Herrett confirmed to CTV News Cotton was driving the fire truck at the time of the incident.

On Monday, Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay of the Nova Scotia RCMP told CTV News police do not believe the driver of the truck was impaired at the time of the incident.

“I can tell you that investigators at the scene did not have suspicion that impairment was a factor, so they don’t believe that alcohol or drugs was a factor,” said Tremblay.

Protestors have demanded more transparency and accountability from police in regard to the incident.

The Nova Scotia RCMP is asking the public for help in the ongoing investigation into the matter.

Police are searching for information on the hours leading up to and including the time of the crash.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page