Traffic delays expected in Charlottetown for paramedic funeral processions

Funeral services will be held Friday for two paramedics who died in an ambulance crash near the Confederation Bridge.

The funerals for two paramedics who died in an ambulance crash near the Confederation Bridge will be held in Charlottetown on Friday and traffic delays are expected.

Mike MacKenzie, 56, and Jenna Croucher, 23, died on July 7 when their ambulance collided with a transport truck in Melrose, N.B.

A patient, 77-year-old Anne Martell, was also killed.

A regimental funeral is scheduled at the Delta Prince Edward for Croucher at 10 a.m. Friday.

Croucher’s procession

A procession for Croucher, which will be escorted by emergency vehicles, will leave the hotel around 11:40 a.m.

The city of Charlottetown has announced the following road closures, which begin at 10:30 a.m.:

• Water Street at Great George Street
• Water Street at Pownal Street
• Great George Street at King Street
• Queen Street at King Street

Queen Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic at 11:10 a.m. from Water Street to Grafton Street as the procession leaves.

The procession will travel the following route:

• Queen Street to Grafton Street
• Grafton Street to Great George Street
• Great George Street/University Avenue to Capital Drive

It will then travel to Croucher’s home in Nine Mile Creek before returning to Charlottetown.

The city says all roads will reopen once the procession has passed.

MacKenzie’s procession

A regimental funeral will also take place for MacKenzie at 2 p.m. at the Delta Prince Edward before a funeral mass, which is scheduled at St. Dunstan’s Basilica at 4 p.m.

Island EMS says his procession will begin at around 5:30 p.m. following the service.

Road closures for his procession will begin at 3 p.m. at the following locations:

• Water Street at Prince Street
• Water Street at Great George Street
• Water Street at Pownal Street

The following closures will also begin at 3:30 p.m.:

• King Street at Prince Street
• King Street at Great George Street
• Sydney Street at Prince Street
• Sydney Street at Great George Street
• Dorchester Street at Pownal Street
• Queen Street at Sydney Street

Parking restrictions

The city says parking won’t be allowed from 4 a.m. until the final procession ends at the following locations:

• Queen Street from Water Street to the PEI Convention Centre, including the traffic circle
• Great George Street (both sides) from Dorchester Street to Richmond Street
• Water Street from the Delta Hotel to Pownal Street
• Queen Street in front of Calvary Church (parking spaces will be temporarily barricaded)

“The City thanks residents and motorists for their patience as the community comes together to honour two dedicated paramedics,” reads a municipal release.

“Residents are encouraged to use alternate routes where possible and to follow directions from police and traffic control personnel.”

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