Canadian Sikh legislator killed in highway mishap
Wednesday, 25/11/2015
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
EDMONTON: Manmeet Bhullar, Progressive Conservative member of Canada’s Alberta legislature, was killed in an accident on way from Calgary to this provincial capital on Monday, after stopping along a highway to help a driver in distress.
The accident happened during the first heavy snowfall of the season in central Alberta. Investigation, so far, indicates that a northbound vehicle lost control and rolled into the median on the south side of a hill. Two northbound vehicles then stopped on the left shoulder of the highway to assist. A semitruck that was also northbound, and descending the hill, appears to have lost control, striking the rear of the first vehicle that had stopped to assist, then continued into the median out of control and struck the driver, and sole occupant of the second vehicle, who was outside his vehicle on foot in the median. This driver was Bhullar. Taken to hospital by ambulance, he died of the injuries suffered.
Interim party leader Ric McIver issued a statement in the evening on behalf of the Progressive Conservative caucus: “Manmeet was much-loved as a husband to Namrita and a dear friend, not just to his colleagues but also to anyone who came to know him.”
Reacting to the news, Alberta premier Rachel Notley issued a statement that all Albertans should be proud of Bhullar’s “significant contributions to public life”. “We have lost our colleague, Calgary-Greenway has lost a friend and effective voice in the legislature, and most of all, we have all lost a passionate advocate for Alberta,” she said.
Minutes after the news story was posted on the CBC Edmonton website, people across the province began to respond on Twitter. “Saddened to hear of Manmeet’s passing (away),” finance minister Joe Ceci wrote in a tweet.
Bhullar’s family issued a statement thanking people for their support and saying: “Manmeet left us while he was doing what he loved more than anything — helping others.”
BADALS MOURN DEATH
CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday expressed grief over the demise of Bhullar.
In his condolence message, the CM described Bhullar as one of Punjab’s most beloved sons who brought glory to Punjab and India. Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and public relations minister Bikram Singh Majithia also condoled the death.
