Truro police say snowplow crash that killed woman was a ‘tragic accident’

Tina Clyke is pictured in this undated photo. (Source: Clyke family)

Police say a snowplow crash that killed a woman in Truro, N.S., last week has been ruled an accident.

Truro Police Service, fire and ambulance crews responded to the scene in a Queen Street parking lot around 6:30 a.m. Feb. 2.

The victim, 54-year-old Tina Clyke, was taken to Colchester East Hants Health Centre by EHS where she died of her injuries.

At the time, police said the vehicle involved, a three-quarter-ton truck operated by a private contractor, was equipped with a plow that was clearing a car dealership parking lot.

Clyke was hit while walking across the parking lot on her way to work at a nearby Sobeys.

Conditions at the time were snowy and windy and Truro police Chief Dave MacNeil said visibility was an issue.

MacNeil added the incident did not appear to be criminal in nature.

In an update Friday, police said the fatal crash has officially been ruled an accident.

“Our investigators met with the family of the deceased yesterday and can now advise the public that this incident has been ruled a tragic accident and no charges are pending from the police investigation,” Truro Police Service said in a post on Facebook.

The incident has been referred to the Department of Labour for review from a “workplace accident perspective.”

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe fundraiser for Clyke’s family has raised more than $50,000.

“I want the community to know that we appreciate all the support from everybody; her friends, her family, her work,” her brother, Gordie Clyke, told CTV Atlantic’s Callum Smith.

“We couldn’t make it through this without the support that everybody has given us and the support and love that they’ve given Tina.”

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